OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska’s public health districts will be allowed to open up COVID-19 vaccinations to all residents who are at least 16 years old starting next week if they have an adequate supply of doses, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday.
Ricketts said the regional districts will have the option to do so starting Monday. State officials will let them decide whether they have enough open appointments and doses.
Some rural public health districts have already started vaccinating that age group, but the wait will be a bit longer in Nebraska’s most populated cities. Douglas County, encompassing Omaha, will offer vaccinations to residents who are at least 45 years old starting Thursday.
Some residents who are at least 18 years old have secured appointments through the federal pharmacy program, a separate set of providers that include Walmarts, Hy-Vees and other local pharmacies. Ricketts said the federal program is expanding and should see a large increase in single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses next week. He expects to get vaccinated himself on Saturday at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The increase in vaccinations comes as state officials warn about another uptick in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. The numbers are still low compared with the record highs from late last year, but health officials urged residents to continue social distancing.
“We are concerned,” said Dr. Gary Anthone, Nebraska’s chief medical officer. “There was an increase this week in the number of positive cases. That’s something we are always keeping our eyes on.”
Nebraska has vaccinated 22.6% of residents who are at least 16 years old, according to the state’s online tracking portal. The number of daily vaccinations has been trending upward since December to a record high of 13,739 doses on Tuesday.
The Two Rivers Public Health Department has vaccinated the largest proportion of residents, at 25.47% of those over 16. The Panhandle Public Health District in far western Nebraska has vaccinated the lowest proportion, at 17.53%.
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