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

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A new online COVID-19 vaccine registration form for county residents was launched at 8 a.m. Wednesday in COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. The simple electronic form collects 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 the site was launched, people rushed to fill out the form and crashed. However, the city said the site was running smoothly, with no delays as of Wednesday afternoon. The city of Lincoln said that 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, an appointment will be given to those who are registered to be vaccinated.

The city reminds people that “vaccination appointments 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 there is sufficient supply of vaccines to have public clinics.

Lincoln Public Schools staff do not need to register for the vaccine. The superintendent, Dr. Steve Joel said educators and staff will have a dedicated time when doses are available.

Family members and caregivers are encouraged to help those who need help registering. Those who do not have online access or 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), as well as long-term care centers, have administered 14,800 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines continue for those in Phase 1A, which include health care personnel, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and residents and long-term care center staff. As of this week, the vaccine is now available to school nurses and dental providers, who are also part of Phase 1A. Healthcare and hospice providers also receive vaccine. Hospitals have scheduled this week the final round of first doses for primary care staff. Most Lancaster County long-term care facilities have given first doses to residents and staff. Many people in phase 1A receive their second dose of vaccine, including health care workers and EMTs.

LLCHD selected Pinnacle Bank Arena as one of its first clinical sites. It will serve as the site for a Friday clinic that 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 done elsewhere in the future to help meet the needs of the community.

LLCHD has recently expanded the Phase 1B priority groups of the COVID-19 vaccine based on updated federal recommendations. Phase 1B now includes:

• People 65 years or older
• People with certain underlying medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that increase the risk of serious COVID-19 diseases
• Essential workers

The department has launched a survey of physician offices across the county and they are helping to identify patients age 65 or older, as well as those with underlying medical problems. The department is actively working with numerous community partners who will help support vaccination efforts for Phase 1B. The plan is to open phase 1B as soon as the supply of vaccines is available. More details will be announced when they are completed.

LLCHD will make an announcement when there is enough supply to start public clinics. It will take time to vaccinate Lancaster County residents. LLCHD urges the public to be patient and to continue taking precautions to protect themselves and others: wear a mask, watch the distance, wash your hands and avoid crowded spaces, close contact. and small spaces.

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