Wisconsin Says Herd Immunity Is Within Reach - Here's When It Could Happen

Wisconsin could reach herd immunity during summer.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk cast the prediction Thursday (March 18) that the state could reach that goal by July. By the end of June, there should be enough doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to administer to 80% of the population over the age of 16, the Associated Press reported Thursday afternoon. At this point, 23% of Wisconsinites have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 13% are fully vaccinated.

“Wouldn’t that be a wonderful 4th of July celebration, to hit 80% community immunity in the state of Wisconsin?” said Willems Van Dijk.

Willems Van Dijk added that officials expect everyone in Wisconsin will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1, according to the Associated Press.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported more than 571,000 confirmed cases statewide as of Thursday, the latest data available. More than 3.2 million tests have been administered.

Data show that more than 6,300 cases remain active, and nearly 27,000 have ever been hospitalized. More than 6,500 Wisconsinites have died of COVID-19 complications, and more than 558,000 have recovered, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

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