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COVID-19 vaccinations are more readily available than ever

Posted at 8:46 PM, Apr 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-04-19 21:46:24-04

GREEN BAY, Wis (NBC 26) -- Some health care providers in northeast Wisconsin say COVID-19 vaccination appointments are becoming much easier to find.

It was just a few months ago when a Facebook group known as the Wisconsin Vaccine Hunters and Angels was established. Their goal was to make the complicated process of finding a vaccination appointment easier, and time has proven to be on their side.

"About ten days ago was kind of that switch over where appointments were readily available everywhere," says Bob Orech the founder of the page.

Orech says posts on his site have dropped nearly 30 percent in the past week, which is a welcomed trend in his book.

"It doesn't seem as if people need as much help or direction anymore."

Across northeast Wisconsin today the vaccination supply continues to increase and more and more people are discovering that health care systems are ready for them immediately.

"To be honest with you I think this perception, up until last week was, it's hard to get a vaccine appointment.... not everybody knows that right now, it's easy to get an appointment," says Prevea Health's President and CEO Dr. Ashok Rai.

Dr. Rai says Prevea Health is starting to offer same-day vaccination appointments in many cases. It's something new for them, and Bellin Health as well.

"We have, right now, same-day access which is really great," says Sharla Baenen the Chief Operating Officer at Bellin Health.

Baenen says while the appointments for vaccinations are more immediately available now than ever, there are many who are still apprehensive about getting the shot.

"And now you have, kind of, the folks that are on the fence trying to make a decision and obviously we want to keep that access available for all those that are still in that contemplation phase."

For now, however, the supply is here, sites are fully operational and some in the vaccination finder business say they are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"We want to be out of business honestly. Because once everyone is getting vaccinated, we're getting a step closer to herd immunity," adds Orech.