Milwaukee City Wire

The City of Milwaukee's Health Department is ramping up its COVID testing and vaccine clinics as it continues to reach out to those who don't yet have their shots or think they might be sick.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, in an Aug. 2 Twitter post, announced community testing and vaccinations sites' new hours.

"Everyone 12 years and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and testing is available for all, regardless of symptoms," Barrett said in his Twitter post.

The City of Milwaukee Health Department's Northwest and Southside health centers on West Mill Road and South 23rd Street currently are operating free COVID-19 vaccine walk-in clinics with no appointment, identification or insurance requirements. The walk-in clinics are open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Both health centers also are offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing during those same times, as is the Milwaukee County Community Testing Site at American Family Field on Brewers Way.

The free COVID-19 testing is available to anyone 12 months and older, regardless of symptoms, and may be accessed via drive-thru or walk-up, according to information on the city's health department's website.

While appointments are not necessary, the health department will schedule second dose appointments after the first dose and those attending the clinics are required to wear masks and maintain social distance.

The city's health department is also hosting a back-to-school health fair 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at the Southside Health Center.

The city currently "strongly advises" everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask indoors when they are with people outside of their household, per recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Anyone who would like to register for the clinic or testing, or would like more information, may do so online at milwaukee.gov/covidvax and via the hotline at (414) 286-6800.