Over 100,000 people in Milwaukee County have had COVID-19. Over 1,000 have died. However, yesterday, the people of Milwaukee took a big step in the march toward normalcy.

The Milwaukee Health Department had opened vaccinations up to any individual 16 years and older who resides in certain zip codes on March 22, but recently after increases in vaccinations, the state was able to expand eligibility to all individuals over the age of 16.

At Marquette, doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were secured and will be able to be distributed to the larger campus community starting April 14. However, vaccinations can still be done at other locations near campus. Members of the Marquette community can sign up for an appointment online. However, Marquette’s clinic will not be open to the public and is exclusively for students, staff and faculty.

Outside of campus, students have multiple options of options. The Wisconsin Center, located at 400 W. West Wisconsin Ave., is only a 10-minute walk from Marquette’s campus. Appointments can be set up through the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s website.

The Milwaukee Mass Vaccination FEMA Clinic is open to the public and will offer appointments for first and second doses of the vaccinations. The center is open seven days a week and opens at 9 A.M. Monday-Saturday and 8 A.M. Sunday.

Outside of the Wisconsin Center, Students are also able to schedule an appointment through Walgreens on campus with a Walgreens.com pharmacy account.

Sophomore in the College of Nursing, Melissa Olivera Liz received the first dose of her vaccine at the Wisconsin Center site in early March. Sophomore in the College of Nursing. Olivera Liz got her first dose of the vaccine at the Wisconsin Center in early March back when eligibility was for Nurses.

“Getting my vaccine went very smoothly. They were very organized and kind. I was afraid the vaccine would hurt but they did it so quickly I couldn’t even feel it. Overall, it was a very positive experience and I feel very lucky to have been able to get it,” Olivera Liz said.

Gabriel Dally, a senior in the College of Health Sciences has yet to receive his vaccine due to the worries of an adverse reaction affecting his schooling. 

“Currently with my school load it has been really hard to set aside either a day or two to endure the effects of the vaccine,” Dally said. 

Potential side effects of the vaccine can include pain, redness, and swelling of the arm and fever and chills that can last up to 48 hours after vaccination according to the CDC.

Hannah Eichelman, a sophomore in the College of Nursing, obtained her vaccine a bit further off-campus at the Kosciuszko Community Center, located at 2201 S. 7th St., about two miles south of campus.

“My experience with the vaccine was amazing,” Eichelman said. “I wasn’t sure how my body was going to react, but I only had a headache for about an hour and some pain at the site of injection. I recommend everyone who is eligible get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

As of Monday, 18% of all Milwaukee county residents are fully vaccinated and 59% of individuals 65 and older have received a full dose.

In the state of Wisconsin, 35% of the state has at least one shot in their arm. Which is above the average of 32% vaccinated for all other states and U.S territories.

Benjamin Wells contributed to this report.

This story was written by Finn Askin. He can be reached at [email protected]