City says 22,000 have already registered to receive the vaccine

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A new online registration form for COVID-19 vaccine for county residents was launched Wednesday at 8 a.m. COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. The simple electronic form captures the basic information that will be used to help determine when the individual can be vaccinated. The city of Lincoln said the information enters a secure system and is strictly confidential.

Shortly after launching the site, people rushed to fill out the form, blocking the site. However, the city said the site is running smoothly, with no delays as of Wednesday afternoon. The city of Lincoln said at 8:30 a.m., about 100 people were trying to register every second. As of 9:30 a.m., 11,000 people had already signed up. By noon, that number had doubled.

The vaccine is not yet available to the general public. But as vaccine doses become available, those who are registered will receive an appointment to be vaccinated.

The city reminds people that “vaccination schedules depend on the supply of vaccines and are not related to the order in which people register” and that an announcement will be made when enough vaccines are available to have public clinics.

Lincoln public school staff do not have to register for the vaccine. Superintendent Dr. Steve Joel said educators and staff will have a dedicated time set aside when doses are available.

Family members and caregivers are encouraged to help those who need help with registration. Those who do not have online access or need assistance 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 the long-term care facilities administered 14,800 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccinations continue for those in Phase 1A, which includes medical staff, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and residents and staff of long-term care units. As of this week, the vaccine is now available to school nurses and dental providers, who are also part of Phase 1A. Home care and hospice providers also receive the vaccine. Hospitals have scheduled the last round of first doses for primary care staff this week. Most long-term care units in Lancaster County gave the first doses to residents and staff. Many people in phase 1A receive the second dose of vaccine, including medical staff and EMT.

LLCHD has selected Pinnacle Bank Arena as one of its first clinical locations. It will serve as a site for a Friday clinic, which is only open to some Phase 1A health care providers. LLCHD will continue to consider other potential sites for vaccination clinics when the vaccine is more widely available. Clinics may be held in 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 that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 disease
• Essential workers

The department has launched a survey of doctors’ offices across the county and is helping to identify patients in the age group 65 and older, as well as those with underlying medical conditions. The department is actively working with many community partners to help support vaccination efforts for Phase 1B. The plan is to open phase 1B as soon as the vaccine is available. More details will be announced as they are completed.

LLCHD will make an announcement when there is enough supply 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, keep your distance, wash your hands and avoid crowded spaces, close contact. and enclosed spaces.

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