Appleton Updates COVID-19 Guidance In Accordance With CDC Recommendations For Fully Vaccinated People

From the City of Appleton:

August 4, 2021

APPLETON, Wis. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new recommendations for fully vaccinated people, to include wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission rates, due to the highly contagious Delta variant.

The City of Appleton, which sits within Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties, is experiencing substantial community transmission. To protect those who are unvaccinated and immunocompromised, the Appleton Health Department encourages everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and recommends masking in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.

The CDC's guidance reiterates that the best way to slow the spread of the Delta variant is to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear a mask over your nose and mouth. People who are fully vaccinated are less likely to acquire the virus and transmit it to others, and less likely to suffer severe illness, hospitalization and death. Masking helps prevent the transmission of the respiratory droplets that spread the virus.

For several City functions, such as indoor programming for children, masks have remained a key strategy throughout the spring and summer. Valley Transit continues to operate under a federal mandate requiring masks for all bus drivers and passengers. Under the new guidance, masks will be in use in indoor public settings in City facilities. The City will continue to support private businesses and organizations in setting their own mask policies.

In the City of Appleton, 62.7 percent of people 12 years and older have been vaccinated. To help the City continue to build on vaccination progress, the Appleton Health Department is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic Wednesday, August 4 at the Appleton Public Library (225 N Oneida St, Appleton) from 3 to 6 p.m.

Pfizer vaccine is available for those ages 12+ and Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available for those ages 18+. While appointments are recommended, walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment please visit www.goridcovid.com. Other vaccination opportunities can be found at www.vaccines.gov.

If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, please contact your healthcare provider or the Appleton Health Department at 920-832-6429.

This press release was produced by the City of Appleton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.