Nebraska residents 75 and older will soon be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced during his press conference Monday.
Individuals 75 and older could start getting immunized by mid-January. The vaccinations will be accomplished through a variety of methods such as community vaccine clinics with health departments, healthcare providers and pharmacy partners.
As of Monday, the state had received 63,070 primary doses and 23,400 primary does to the federal pharmacy program for long-term care facilities.
The first shipment of Pfizer second doses also arrived late last week.
More than 100 long-term care facilities received vaccinations through the federal pharmacy program and more through local health departments and community pharmacy partners.
The Three Rivers Public Health Department, which oversees Washington, Dodge and Saunders counties, has vaccinated 448 individuals and 330 immunizations have been provided to community partners to vaccinate individuals.
The health department is using the phased approach that has been laid out by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
“We have had a lot of interest in individuals wanting to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Terra Uhing, executive director of the Three Rivers Public Health Department. “Please know that we are working through our phases and tiers as quickly as we can. Please be patient with us as we only have a limited amount of vaccine at this time.”
Three Rivers has offered a timeline for the COVID-19 vaccination phases within its district on its Facebook page.
The timeline is as follows:
Phase 1A: Mid-December to mid-January
• Healthcare personnel: Hospitals, home healthcare, pharmacies, EMS, public health, dentists, behavioral health, optometrists and veterinarians
• Long-term care facility residents and staff
Phase 1B: January to mid-March
• Individuals 75 years of age and older
• First responders
• Utility workers
• Homeless shelter staff
• Corrections staff
• Educators
• Funeral homes/coroners
• Grocery
• Food/agriculture
• Transportation
• U.S. Postal Service
• Public transit
Phase 1C: Mid-March to April
• Individuals 65-74 years of age
• High-risk medical conditions
• Incarcerated
• Colleges/universities
Phase 2: May to October
• General population
The health department has started a contact list for individuals 75 years and older who wish to be vaccinated. Those who qualify and would like a vaccination, should complete the form at https://https://nalhd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cFU8KpGUaby2QAZ.
This puts individuals on the list and they will be notified when vaccines are available for them. Uhing said it could be several weeks.
The state will be introducing a website in the coming weeks for residents to register for vaccinations so they will be told when their priority group is ready to be vaccinated. The site will also assist with scheduling and follow-up remidners.
The state has also launched a new vaccination dashboard to track how the vaccinations are proceeding across the state. It is available on the DHHS website at dhhs.ne.gov. Updates will be provided weekly.
