OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are holding the first of a series of Facebook Live sessions regarding COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
DHHS Incident Commander Angela Ling and Lifespan Health Services Administrator Sara Morgan talked about plans for vaccinating seniors who are 75 and older in the state and the Federal Pharmacy Program.
For those who are 75 years of age or older, those who fall in phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plans, the DHHS said systems are in the works for registration. Those come in the form of a website and a special hotline that will allow those who wish to receive the vaccine to register. Those systems should be operational in about two weeks. People should also be able to register with their healthcare providers and local health departments the DHHS said.
About 108,000 vaccine doses have been received to date from Pfizer and Moderna and more are on the way. An estimated 11,700 Pfizer doses and 11,200 Moderna doses should roll in each week. Vaccines manufactured by other companies are currently in development as well.
A shift from phase1A — which includes vaccinating frontline healthcare workers and staff and patients at long-term-care facilities — to 1B will occur at different times for different parts of the state. Some are nearly ready to make the transition.
The DHHS said to monitor local health departments through media channels such as online and on-air or to contact local public health offices directly for up-to-date information.
After phase 1B is completed, a shift to 1C will take place which allows people ages 64-75 to receive the vaccine as well as people with underlying health conditions.
The department urges people who have been vaccinated to maintain virus spread mitigation efforts until given the all-clear from officials. Those receiving either vaccination will be given a card indicating the manufacturer of the vaccine they received. People are advised to follow manufacturer recommendations and get the same version during their second dosage administration.
If you have other questions about the vaccine, DHHS said you can contact your local health department or the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-2275 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Watch below or on our Facebook page.
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