More than 97,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered last week in Nebraska. As of Sunday, more than 828,764 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given to those in Phase 1 and Phase 2A priority groups, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Additionally, as of Sunday over 310,267 Nebraskans have completed vaccination, which represents 20.9% of Nebraskans aged 16 years of age and older.
The state is now vaccinating those Nebraskans in Group 2A – those 50 years of age and older, as well as those working in critical industries of any age – in all counties. 10 percent of all allocations are being administered to those of all ages with serious underlying health conditions. Some areas of the state are moving to additional tiers. Local health departments can advise which group they are currently vaccinating.
Directed Health Measures that went into effect Monday allow for the Federal Retail Pharmacy program to start vaccinating those 18 years of age and older. The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program is coordinated and managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and participating pharmacies in the state have signed up and been approved by the federal government. For more on the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, visit the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/retail-pharmacy-program/participating-pharmacies.html.
Thus far, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for those aged 16 years and older, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Pharmaceuticals vaccines have been approved for those aged 18 years and older. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots; Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine requires just one shot.
For the week ending April 4, Nebraska is scheduled to receive 25,740 first doses and 25,740 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as 18,400 first doses and 18,400 second doses of the Moderna vaccine. The state is currently not expecting to receive any doses of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Pharmaceuticals vaccine this week.
Finish Strong Nebraska is the state’s official COVID-19 vaccination campaign designed to keep the public motivated and informed on the vaccine. For more information and to register on the vaccine portal, visit FinishStrong.Ne.Gov. Once registered on the portal, Nebraska residents will be notified when COVID-19 vaccination begins in their area.