LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A new online COVID-19 vaccine registration form for county residents was launched Wednesday at 8 a.m. COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. The simple electronic form contains 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.
Shortly after the site’s launch, people rushed to fill out the form, causing the site to crash. However, the city said the site will be running smoothly with no delays starting Wednesday afternoon. The city of Lincoln said at 8:30 a.m. that about 100 people tried to register every second. At 9.30 am 11,000 people had already registered. By noon that number had doubled.
The vaccine is not yet available to the general public. But as vaccine doses become available, those registered will be given an appointment to get vaccinated.
The city is reminding people that “appointments for vaccines are dependent on the supply of vaccines and are not related to the order in which people register” and that an announcement will be made when sufficient stocks of vaccines are available to run public clinics.
Lincoln Public Schools staff are not required to register for the vaccine. Chief Inspector Dr. Steve Joel said teachers and staff will have a special time when doses are available.
LPS staff do not need to register for vaccine today as we are confident that educators and staff will have a special time when doses are available. Possible exceptions are those who are 65 or older or with underlying health conditions.
– steve joel (@ sjoel59) January 20, 2021
Family members and caregivers are encouraged to help register those who need assistance. Those who do not have online access or who need assistance can call LLCHD’s 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 – and long-term care facilities delivered 14,800 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccinations continue for those in Stage 1A, including medical personnel, emergency medical responders (EMTs), and residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Starting this week, the vaccine is now available to school nurses and dentists, who are also part of Phase 1A. Home care and hospice caregivers will also receive a vaccine. Hospitals have scheduled the last round of first doses for primary care staff this week. Most of Lancaster County’s long-term care facilities have delivered initial doses to residents and staff. Many people in Stage 1A receive their second dose of the vaccine, including medical personnel and EMTs.
LLCHD selected Pinnacle Bank Arena as one of the first clinic locations. It will serve as the location for a clinic on Friday that is only accessible to some healthcare providers in Phase 1A. LLCHD will continue to consider other potential locations for vaccination clinics as vaccine becomes more widely available. Clinics may be held in other locations in the future to meet the needs of the community.
LLCHD recently expanded 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 that increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19
- Essential employees
The department has conducted a survey of physician practices across the country, and they help identify patients in the age group 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions. The department is actively working with numerous community partners who will help support the Phase 1B vaccination efforts. The plan is to open Phase 1B as soon as vaccines are available. More details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
LLCHD will make an announcement when there is sufficient supply to start public clinics. Vaccinating Lancaster County residents will take time. LLCHD urges the public to be patient and to continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others – wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands and avoid crowded areas, close contact. and confined spaces.
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