Vaccine sign-up opens statewide

An online portal where Nebraskans may register for the coronavirus vaccination debuted recently.

During a Monday press conference, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the website launch for vaccinate.nebraska.gov.

Ricketts emphasized the state will not administer vaccines on a first come, first serve basis. Instead, the state will follow a vaccination plan introduced Jan. 15.

Despite brisk winter weather, vaccinations have been rolling out quickly, with more than 161,000 vaccinations being administered.

Of the 19 local health departments across the state, 17 have completed Phase 1A.

According to DHHS chief information office Lori Snyder, the online portal will not change the current vaccination schedule.

“If you already have an appointments for the vaccine, continue to do that,” she said.

Individuals who have registered through local health departments do not need to re-register.

“We are working with them. If you are already registered, your data will be in the new system,” she said.

To register online, individuals will need to provide an email address and telephone number. A confirmation message will be emailed within 24 hours.

According to Snyder, when it’s an individual’s turn to receive the vaccine, an email notice, containing a unique link, will be sent. The link will contain information about how to schedule a vaccination appointment.

A second email will be sent to schedule the second dose.

Individuals without email may contact the vaccination hotline at [email protected] or call 531-249-1873.

A Spanish-language portal will be available by mid-February, according to Snyder.

Angie Ling, Nebraska DHHS incident command, said the entire state will move into Phase 1B next week.

“The priority will be residents age 65 and older.”

Ling reported sate officials are not requesting a Federal Emergency Management Agency vaccination site.

“We are currently able to sustain our vaccination efforts,” she said.

Additional doses of vaccine would not be included if the state worked with FEMA, according to Ling.

The full plan is available online at http://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan.pdf.