The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) and its partners administered a record 8,200 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine last week. About 5,000 of those were Lancaster County residents who were vaccinated at clinics Friday and Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Most of those vaccinated over the two days were residents age 75 and up and their spouses. Doses provided to residents of independent living communities also made up a large portion of those receiving vaccine last week.
This week, LLCHD continues to make progress vaccinating groups in Phase 1B. LLCHD is holding another large-scale vaccination clinic for residents age 73 and up Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. LLCHD is in the process of contacting people in that age group who have registered to receive vaccine to schedule appointments. LLCHD has enough vaccine for everyone who has an appointment to get vaccinated.
CHI Health St. Elizabeth, Bryan Health, private practice providers, and office staff are working with other community partners to provide extra support and assistance for the clinic to help ensure accessibility and mobility for the population being served. Those measures include the following:
- The vaccination clinic is taking place on two levels, and both are easily accessible.
- Wheelchairs are available. If clinic participants have limited mobility, they are encouraged to bring their own wheelchairs or walkers, if possible.
- A family member or caregiver is welcome to accompany the person receiving the vaccine through the process.
- Extra staff is available to help those who may need additional assistance.
- Free parking is available in the garage attached to the west side of the Arena and in the Red garage south of the Arena. Both garages are most easily accessed by driving west on “N” Street and then north on Pinnacle Arena Drive. Guides will direct clinic participants to the parking garages. “R” Street on the south side of the Arena will be closed. All drop offs should be done on the third level of the attached garage.
Individuals age 73 and up will need an appointment to receive vaccine. If a person in this age group wants to get vaccinated but has not registered, they can register online at covid19.lincoln.ne.gov or can call 402-441-8006 for registration assistance. LLCHD encourages people to receive COVID-19 vaccine as soon as its available to them.
Other Phase 1B vaccination efforts this week include the following:
- As part of LLCHD’s ongoing partnership with hospital providers, Bryan Health and Lincoln Surgical Hospital will provide vaccine by appointment through some smaller vaccine clinics to people age 65 and older with serious medical conditions that increase risk for severe illness like serious lung disease. LLCHD is currently contacting and scheduling appointments for patients identified.
- Utility workers are next on the state’s priority list for essential workers, and some are receiving vaccine this week.
As more vaccine is available, others in Phase 1B will have the opportunity to get vaccinated. COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov is a helpful resource where people can find the latest vaccine information, the lists of priority groups in each phase, and the groups that are currently eligible to receive vaccine.
A second large-scale clinic is being held on Friday for health care providers in Phase 1A who were vaccinated at the Arena in late January. This is a second-dose clinic, and individuals in this group are currently being notified of their appointment times.
The first step to getting vaccinated is to register using the secure, online form at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. The form is available in English and Spanish. While the vaccine is not yet available for the general public, as doses become available, those who are registered will be contacted to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. Registration is open to all County residents, but those who are in Phase 1B – those age 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions – should register soon. The health department will work with essential workers and their employers independently.
Family members and caregivers are encouraged to assist those who need help to register. Those who do not have online access or who need assistance, may call the COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 to register. LLCHD has interpreters available to assist callers who speak other languages.
The state also recently launched a registration site. Lancaster County residents only need to register once on either the LLCHD website or the state website. LLCHD and the state health department can securely share data as needed.
Vaccinating Lancaster County residents will take time. LLCHD urges the public to be patient and continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others – wear a mask, watch your distance, wash your hands, and avoid crowded spaces, close contact, and confined spaces.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccine, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov, call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006 or visit CDC.org/coronavirus.
Source: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department News Release