Vaccines prevent unnecessary illness, hospitalizations and deaths

Illness, hospitalizations and death due to COVID-19 and the Delta variant are unnecessary and preventable. Gundersen Health System has vaccines to protect everyone eligible. Everything is safer if you're vaccinated.

Anyone age 12 and older, patients or non-patients, can get the free, safe COVID-19 vaccine at Gundersen. Get both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to have maximum protection against COVID-19 and its variants.

According to the CDC, unvaccinated people make up the majority of new COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths, 90% or more nationally.

Masking continues to be important indoors, especially against the dangerous Delta variant and especially for unvaccinated people. Here's the CDC guidance:

• Generally, you don't need to wear a mask outdoors.
• If you are not fully vaccinated and age 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places.

How to get the vaccine

All three approved COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson – are available during walk-in appointments at the Gundersen Onalaska Clinic 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

COVID-19 vaccine is available during Onalaska Family Medicine appointments for those with scheduled appointments. Onalaska Pediatrics will offer the vaccine in August during appointments, followed by primary care in La Crosse, Sparta, Tomah, Decorah, Winona and Waukon clinics, and select Critical Access Hospital locations the Ashley Wellness Center for Ashley Furniture employees and their family members.

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 a parent or guardian consent in person or by calling the Gundersen scheduling line at (608) 775-6829.