Ho-Chunk tribe reports progress in coronavirus vaccinations

The Ho-Chunk Nation is seeing some progress in its coronavirus vaccinations, a member of the Ho-Chunk Tribal Legislature reported to the Shawano County Tribal Affairs Committee on May 6.

Rep. Larry Walker Jr. told the committee that efforts to vaccinate tribal members spread across the state, including Wittenberg, have so far been successful. The tribe has distributed almost 13,000 vaccinations across the reservation, he said, including 270 in Shawano County. Most of the 270 shots include tribal members and employees who work for the tribe.

“We’re pretty spread out throughout the state, being non-contiguous, but we have our primary sites where we hand out the vaccinations — one in Black River Falls and one in Wisconsin Dells,” Walker said. “We also do some mobile areas, as well, with the inclusion of Wittenberg, Madison, Milwaukee and La Crosse.”

Most of the mobile vaccinations have been done through pre-registration, and the appointments have quickly been filled, according to Walker. However, the tribe is also opening up for surrounding communities whenever they have extra shots not being used.

“When we do not have enough people, or some people do not show up for their appointments, we can also register onsite at the Siga Funmaker Community Center and be able to start with their first or their second dose,” Walker said. “This is not only for tribal members and employees but for the surrounding communities, as well.”

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com