Vaccine rollout underway in health district

North Central District Health Department reported 38 new cases in the district Jan. 4, including: seven, Antelope; 0, Boyd; 0, Brown; one, Cherry; six, Holt; 0, Keya Paha; 15, Knox; nine, Pierce and 0, Rock.

NCDHD has received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and is proceeding to disperse vaccine to Phase 1A partners, as outlined in the Nebraska COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.

As of Dec. 31, 784 north central Nebraska residents received the first dose of the vaccine.

NCDHD will notify the public as the district transitions to each phase. The speed of transition depends heavily on vaccine availability. A tentative schedule has been established:

• Late December to mid-January: Phase 1A, which includes healthcare personnel providing direct patient care and/or are exposed to infectious materials and long-term care facility staff and residents.

• Mid-January to mid-March: Phase 1B. vaccine will be allocated to those 75 years and older, first responders, those in the education sector and those working with critical infrastructure, including food, agriculture, utilities, transportation, post office, etc.

• March to April: Phase 1C. Vaccines will be allocated to those 65 years of age and over, vulnerable populations, such as disabled, homeless, etc., and those in congregate settings, including the incarcerated and college/university students.

• May to October: Phase 2 – vaccine will be made available to the public.

NCDHD is following the Nebraska COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, which may be viewed online at http://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan.pdf.