Let's get COVID under control

Gundersen Health System continues to treat younger, sicker COVID-19 patients across its system, while state data shows significantly lower rates of severe illness among those who are vaccinated against the virus.

During the last week of September, Gundersen provided more than 2,400 COVID-19 vaccine doses, many of which were third doses of Pfizer vaccine to eligible groups. This comes as Gundersen is still caring for between 25 and 35 hospitalized COIVD-19 patients across its system at any given time.

According to Wisconsin Department of Health Services data, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are significantly lower among those who are vaccinated compared to those who aren't. About 70% of adults in the western and south-central regions of the state have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while about 67% are fully vaccinated, according to Wisconsin DHS vaccination data.

We can all can help get the pandemic under control through vaccination and masking. COVID-19 vaccination combined with masking, distancing and hand hygiene at work, school, and any indoor, public spaces significantly lowers your risk of COVID-19 infection. Vaccinating and masking help take pressure off the incredible Gundersen staff caring for hospitalized COVID-19 patients and staff caring for the many patients who need non-COVID emergency care and care for a variety of illnesses and conditions.

Get the COVID-19 vaccine and seasonal flu shot at the same time. All patients can now get seasonal flu shots at appointments, and Gundersen's flu shot clinics open Oct. 11.

Getting the vaccine is easy

COVID-19 vaccines are an incredible achievement of modern medicine that work with the body's immune system to provide the best protection against severe illness, including hospitalization and death.
Anyone age 12 and older, patients or non-patients, can get the free, safe COVID-19 vaccine at Gundersen.

All three approved COVID-19 vaccines are available during walk-in appointments at the Gundersen Onalaska Clinic 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at the La Crosse Clinic 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vaccine clinic hours expand Oct. 11.

Gundersen is providing COVID-19 third doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to high-risk individuals. Gundersen is also providing third doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible groups at all locations that provide the vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccine is also available at Gundersen primary care locations for those with scheduled appointments. Please talk to your healthcare provider to get questions answered.

Adult Gundersen patients can walk-in, schedule their appointment through MyChart, or call the scheduling line at (608) 775-6829. Adult non-patients can walk-in or call the scheduling line at (608) 775-6829, option 2, for a vaccine appointment.

Patients under age 18 need parent or guardian consent in person or by calling the Gundersen scheduling line at (608) 775-6829.