COVID-19 FAQs

Coronavirus is not new—there are many types of coronaviruses that commonly cause mild illnesses in humans. However, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new version that we haven’t seen before, and it’s highly contagious and spreading rapidly throughout the world. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Others can get sick when they inhale those droplets or touch their mouth, nose or eyes after touching a surface where those droplets have landed.

You can learn more about COVID-19 on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The most common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. People develop symptoms 2 to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19. Most people will get better within a few weeks, but those with a severe case of the disease may take a month or more to recover.

Thankfully, according to the CDC, children seem to have milder forms of the illness. COVID-19 symptoms in kids range from infection without symptoms to mild upper respiratory symptoms with runny nose and cough, and rarely pneumonia requiring hospitalization.

In general, babies can be at a higher risk for respiratory infections. According to the very limited data available about COVID-19, current literature suggests this illness has been mild for babies.

Adults with certain underlying health conditions may be at risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Adults should contact their primary care provider if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, especially if they have an underlying condition.

Examples of conditions include:

• Lung Disease
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Immunodeficiency conditions
• Other underlying medical conditions

Children with certain underlying health conditions may be at higher risk to contract COVID-19. Contact your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns.

• Chronic lung disease
• Heart disease
• Neurologic conditions (including muscle disorders)
• Immunodeficiency conditions
• Organ transplant
• Cancer treatment
• Treatment with medications that lower the immune system
  

This is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation. The CDC will provide updated information and guidance as it becomes available.

Anyone can get and/or spread COVID-19. However, adults over the age of 60 and those with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk and have shown more serious symptoms.

This is an important question. While children have the same risk of contracting COVID-19, data shows they will often experience milder symptoms than adults. That can make children unknowing spreaders of the virus.

CCHP encourages families to follow social distancing guidelines, wash hands regularly and avoid contact between children and unvaccinated adults. In response to the Delta variant, the CDC recommends everyone over 2 years old — whether or not they have been vaccinated — to still wear a mask when they go to indoor public places.

Families should still limit when they leave the house. When not in their home, people should practice social distancing of at least six feet and wearing face masks, including for kids 2 years and older.

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available. Remind children to do this after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your cough and sneezes.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Get the flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces.
  

According to the CDC, it is believed that the virus likely spreads through droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes. Current data indicates that some people infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus before having symptoms.

Contact your primary care provider and they will be able to appropriately assess your/your child’s medical needs. If you do not know who your primary care provider is please contact customer service, or call CCHP’s no-cost, on-call nurse triage line called CCHP on Call. You can speak directly to knowledgeable registered nurses who are available 24/7.

Call your/ your child’s doctor. They will complete a screening process to determine if a test will be done.

To find more information, please visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm

Children’s Community Health Plan has waived all member cost sharing, including copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, for both Medicaid and Marketplace members for any covered COVID-19 diagnostic testing to establish the diagnosis of COVID-19 when performed at participating provider locations or laboratories.

It is recommend anyone who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine get it. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and is the greatest hope we have for our community to overcome the pandemic and return to normal activities. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for kids 12 and older. While children don’t typically get as sick or have as serious of symptoms compared to adults, the new variants of the COVID-19 virus are more easily spread by children to adults. By having our children vaccinated, we prevent the virus from further infecting our community.

Read the key things to know about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC website.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future please visit the CDC website here.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding please visit the CDC website here.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies have been reviewing information and safety data to approve one or more COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. On Dec. 11, the FDA issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

On December 18, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the second vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The emergency use authorization allows the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.

On February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The EUA allows the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.

On May 10, 2021, the FDA expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. The emergency use authorization allows the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. To read more about the emergency use authorization please visit the FDA website here.

For the latest information on the different COVID-19 vaccines please visit the CDC’s website.

These vaccines offer a safe and effective way to slow and potentially stop the toll of this public health crisis. Getting vaccinated will be one of the best ways to protect yourself and your community. A COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from getting sick and potentially prevent you from spreading the virus to those around you. The vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. It is important for each person to carefully weigh all available information to make the most-informed choice about receiving the vaccine.

A vaccine, however, does not replace the need to continue other actions to stop the spread and keep ourselves healthy. This is especially true while we are in the process of administering vaccine, as it will take many months to provide vaccine to everyone who needs it.

It is recommend anyone who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine get it. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and is the greatest hope we have for our community to overcome the pandemic and return to normal activities. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for kids 12 and older. While children don’t typically get as sick or have as serious of symptoms compared to adults, the new variants of the COVID-19 virus are more easily spread by children to adults. By having our children vaccinated, we prevent the virus from further infecting our community.

Read the key things to know about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC website here.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future please visit the CDC website here.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding please visit the CDC website here.

Is there any risk involved with receiving this vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Like any other vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccines are going through the same rigorous safety standards to assure they are as safe as possible prior to use. This process involves gathering data about the effectiveness and side effects of the vaccines, which are reviewed by multiple federal agencies.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.htmlRead more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting the CDC website here.

Reported side effects are similar to other important vaccines. Side effects are mild or moderate and include fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and headache. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of COVID-19. For more information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines visit the CDC's website here.

Yes, if you have had a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, you can receive the vaccine.

If you have had a previous severe allergic reaction to food, medication or a vaccine, you should discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with your health care provider.

As of May 12, CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older to help protect against COVID-19.

• Children 12 years of age and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
• For more information on finding a COVID-19 vaccine for your child click here.
• All 16 and 17 year olds must have parent/guardian consent
• Vaccines are provided free of charge
• Thousands of vaccines are available daily

To find out the latest information please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website here.

The first shot starts building protection. A second shot a few weeks later is needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer.

We will not know how long immunity lasts until the recipients of the vaccine have been followed over longer periods of time. This will also help determine if booster doses are required.

All of the COVID-19 vaccines are designed to teach your immune system how to fight off the virus. Their differences include their doses; that they are not interchangeable (if you receive the Pfizer vaccine for your first dose, you must receive it for your second dose); and that they require different storage. For example, the Pfizer vaccine needs to be kept in ultra-cold storage.

• Ensuring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States (CDC)
• Understanding and explaining mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (CDC)
• COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know (Wisconsin DHS)
• Post-vaccine considerations for health care personnel (CDC)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility (Wisconsin DHS)
  

To receive an answer to your question in 1 business day Children’s Community Health Plan BadgerCare Plus Medicaid members can visit or if you would rather contact us by phone please contact us anytime Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST at 800-482-8010 (Wisconsin Relay 7-1-1)

Together with CCHP members can call Customer Service for more information about their coverage, what services are covered, how to find a primary care provider and where to go for immediate care. Contact us today!

Contact Customer Service to find a primary care provider and learn more information about selecting a primary care provider:

• If you are a CCHP BadgerCare Plus member and have questions, our customer service team is here to help.
• If you are a Together with CCHP member and have questions, our customer service team is here to help.
  

If you do not have a primary care provider but would like to talk to a medical professional CCHP offers its members a no-cost, on-call nurse triage line called CCHP on Call. You can speak directly to knowledgeable registered nurses who are available 24/7. Call 1-877-257-5861 if you are feeling any of these symptoms or have any other health-related concerns.

If you are feeling any COVID-19 symptoms or have any other health-related concerns you can speak directly to knowledgeable registered nurses who are available 24/7 with CCHP’s no-cost, on-call nurse triage line called CCHP on Call. Call 1-877-257-5861 to speak to a registered nurse today.

Many providers are allowing video or telehealth visits. Members should contact their provider to understand their options. For help finding a provider, members can visit the Find a Doc tab or contact Customer Service.

Families should limit the amount they travel and leave the house. Limiting contact will continue to slow the spread of the virus in the community.

It is advisable that families have a 2 to 4 week supply of essential medicines, prescriptions and food on hand. Please call your primary care doctor if you have more questions about medication for your child or family.

On April 3, the CDC updated its mask recommendation for the public. The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The CDC also adds that the cloth face coverings should not be surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders.

Wisconsin public and private schools remain closed. For additional information, please refer to the CDC's existing guidelines for schools and childcare centers. Parents can help by encouraging kids to practice good hand hygiene and keeping them home when they’re sick.

Chances are, your child has heard about COVID-19 — whether it’s at school or by overhearing news coverage or grown-up conversations. Fortunately, most parents have all the skills necessary to help kids deal with questions and calm their fears. The CDC has tips for talking to children that may help.

• View a list of resources available in the community that can help families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• During stressful times, it’s more important than ever to reach out for support. Below are resources that can help you and your family if you are in need of support.
• If you need immediate assistance, contact IMPACT 2-1-1, and someone will be available 24/7 to help you. You can reach them in three ways: call 211 from your cell phone, text your zip code to 898-211 or call 1-866-211-3380
  

As the state begins to reopen, there are many questions about when and how to resume participation in youth athletics. To help families make those decisions, the Sports Medicine programs at Children’s Wisconsin and American Family Children’s Hospital/UW Health, in accordance with the DHS and CDC, have developed a general guide and extended guidelines for youth athletic teams and organizations to transition safely back into sports. Before returning to athletics, consult with state and local health departments as their municipal and county regulations must be satisfied when developing a return to play protocol.