LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — On Wednesday, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts provided an update on COVID-19 response efforts in the state.
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program will begin in Nebraska starting on Thursday Ricketts said. For those who signed up with the state and go to get the vaccine, there should be no charge but people may be asked to share insurance information. If people are asked to pay out of pocket, they should contact the state.
Ricketts said doses for the program are in addition to those that were already allocated to Nebraska. He also said the state is fixing data exchanges between the CDC and Nebraska that have led to discrepancies in dose administration data.
Last week, the state reported about 6,000 people had not returned for second doses and contact was being attempted to get those doses administered. As of today, Nebraska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anthone said about 4,300 of those people have not returned for the final dose.
Read more: 6,000 Nebraskans did not return for second dose of COVID vaccine
As more people become inoculated, Ricketts said he believes it’s important that long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities look at resuming visitation for residents. Guidance for resuming visitation is when about 90% of staff and residents are inoculated the governor said.
People who have not registered get vaccinated can do so by visiting vaccinate.ne.gov or by calling 833-998-2275.
In addition to Ricketts, guest speaker Ralph Lassiter urged Black Nebraskans to get vaccinated. Lassiter said he understands that many Black Americans, like himself, are distrustful of the government due to incidents like the syphilis study done at Tuskegee. Lassiter said he has received the vaccine and that everyone needs to do their part to help stop the spread.
In honor of Black History Month, Ricketts signed a proclamation and mentioned a number of famous and culturally impactful Nebraskans that have helped pave the way for others.
Watch his remarks below or on our Facebook page.
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