County warns of fraudulent vaccine text messages

Metro Wire Staff

Portage County Health and Human Services this week says it’s received reports of a suspicious text message informing residents of their eligibility to receive a free COVID vaccine on Aug. 18 at the Ruth Gilfry Center.

The texts are fraudulent, according to a news release from County Executive Chris Holman’s office.

“This message was not generated from Portage County Health and Human Services and has been reported to law enforcement as well as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services,” the news release said. “If you received this message, do not respond. If you scheduled an appointment through this service, your appointment is not valid.”

Legitimate appointments can be scheduled online at https://wi-telegov.egov.com/portage-county or by calling 715.345.5350 option 8.

“COVID-19 vaccines are effective at helping protect against severe disease and death from variants of the
virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating, including the Delta variant,” Holman’s news release said. “Everyone ages 12 and older is recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccination.”

Portage County Health and Human Services is offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for people ages 18 and older, or the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 and up. Parent or guardian consent is required for individuals under 18 to receive the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone.

Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find additional locations
near you.