LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – A new online COVID-19 vaccine registration form for county residents launched at 8am on Wednesday at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. The simple electronic form captures basic information that will be used to help determine when the individual can be vaccinated. The city of Lincoln said the information goes to a secure system and is strictly confidential.
Right after the launch of the website, people ran to fill out the form, crashing the website. However, the city said the site was running smoothly, without delay, as of Wednesday afternoon. The city of Lincoln said at 8:30 am that about 100 people were trying to register every second. By 9:30 am, 11,000 people had already registered. At noon, that number doubled.
The vaccine is not yet available to the general public. But as vaccine doses become available, those who are registered will have an appointment to be vaccinated.
The City Hall recalls that “vaccine appointments depend on the vaccine supply and are not related to the order of registration of people” and that an announcement will be made when there is sufficient supply of vaccines for public clinics.
Lincoln Public Schools employees are not required to register for the vaccine. Superintendent Dr. Steve Joel said that educators and staff will have dedicated time set aside when doses are available.
There is no need for the LPS team to register for the vaccine today, as we have been assured that educators and staff will have dedicated time set aside when doses are available. Possible exceptions can be those aged 65 or over or with underlying health problems.
– steve joel (@ sjoel59) January 20, 2021
Family members and caregivers are encouraged to help those who need help registering. Those who do not have online access or need help can call the LLCHD COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 to register. The form is available in English and Spanish.
LLCHD and its partners – Bryan Health, CHI Health St. Elizabeth, Lincoln Surgical Center and Bluestem Health – as well as long-term care facilities administered 14,800 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccination continues for those in Phase 1A, which includes healthcare professionals, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and residents and employees of long-term care facilities. As of this week, the vaccine is now available to school nurses and dental providers, who are also part of Phase 1A. Home and palliative care providers are also receiving the vaccine. Hospitals scheduled the last round of first doses for primary health care personnel this week. Most long-term care institutions in Lancaster County administered the first doses to residents and staff. Many people in Phase 1A are receiving their second dose of the vaccine, including healthcare professionals and paramedics.
LLCHD selected Pinnacle Bank Arena as one of its first clinic locations. It will serve as a location for a Friday clinic that is only open to a few healthcare providers in Phase 1A. LLCHD will continue to consider other potential sites for vaccination clinics when the vaccine is more widely available. Clinics may be held at other locations in the future to help meet the needs of the community.
LLCHD recently expanded the Phase 1B priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccine based on updated federal recommendations. Phase 1B now includes:
- People aged 65 and over
- People with certain underlying medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who increase the risk of serious COVID-19 disease
- Essential workers
The department has launched a survey for doctors’ offices across the county, and they are helping to identify patients aged 65 and over, as well as those with underlying medical conditions. The department is actively working with a number of community partners who will help support vaccination efforts for Phase 1B. The plan is to open Phase 1B as soon as the vaccine supply is available. Further details will be announced as they are finalized.
LLCHD will make an announcement when there is enough offer to start public clinics. Vaccination of 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, pay attention at a distance, wash your hands and avoid crowded spaces, close contact. and confined spaces.
Copyright 2021 KOLN. All rights reserved.