The Superior Express -

South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) officials are expecting to receive 800 ‘first doses’ of Moderna vaccine this week. Michele Bever, the department’s executive director, said the allotment was 200 more doses than the prior week.

“These doses will be allocated out to our vaccine providers in each county. Our focus again this week is on individuals age 65 and above, starting with the oldest and expanding downward,” she said. “Approximately 90 percent of the doses will go to elderly and about 10 percent will be administered to any remaining health workers who were eligible under Phase 1A, as well as some of the prioritized essential workers in Phase 1B.”

Individuals age 65 and above may register on the state vaccine registration system, called VRAS. The sign-up tool can be accessed through SHDHD’s website, http://www.southheart landhealth.org. “Just click on the red ribbon at the top of the homepage to get to the vaccine information page, then click on the picture of the vaccine to start the registration process.” Bever said.

Individuals needing assistance with registration, are encouraged to ask a family member or friend for help or may contact the state vaccine hotline at 833-998-2275 to register. Individuals 60 and over can contact Midland Area Agency on Aging for assistance with vaccine registration at 402-463-4565 Extension – 499. Bever said registered individuals will be notified when it is their turn to schedule an appointment. Prioritized essential workers can expect to be notified through their worksites when vaccine is available for them.

Bever said approximately 340 second (booster) doses of Moderna vaccine would be administered this week. “It will take time to get to all of the people in each priority group who want the vaccine. Everyone in each priority group can be vaccinated as soon as there are enough vaccines available in our district,” she said.

The district also reported 30 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases Saturday through Monday, averaging 10 new cases per day and bringing the cumulative number of cases in the four-county health district to 4,308. The new confirmed cases for the three-day period include: 17 in Adams, six in Clay, and seven in Nuckolls. By county, the new cumulative totals are: 2,814 cases in Adams, 700 cases in Clay, 461 cases in Nuckolls, and 333 cases in Webster.

Bever said testing was down likely because of the weather. SHDHD received 155 fewer test results than the previous week, at 850 tests compared to 1,005 tests. Weekly positivity for the health district increased to 10.2 percent compared to 8.9 percent the week before. By county, the positivity for the week ending Jan. 30 was 10.5 percent in Adams, 10.4 percent in Clay, 12 percent in Nuckolls, and 7.2 percent in Webster.

While waiting their turn for the vaccine, Bever encouraged residents to continue practicing the 3Cs: avoid crowded spaces, avoid close contact and avoid confined spaces.

More than 46,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered last week in Nebraska. As of Sunday, more than 184,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given to those in Phase 1 priority groups, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

As of Sunday, nearly 48,250 Nebraskans have completed vaccination, which represents 3.25 percent of Nebraskans aged 16 or older.

First dose vaccinations for Phase 1A priority groups are being finalized, and second dose clinics are being scheduled appropriately to complete vaccination in the coming weeks. Phase 1A included health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.

This week, all Nebraska counties expect to be vaccinating Phase 1B priority groups. Nebraskans notified that vaccination is available in their area are encouraged to schedule an appointment through their local health department.

Phase 1B priority groups include those 65 and older, those 18 and older who are at high-risk for severe COVID-19, and those working in critical industries who are unable to work remotely, including: first responders, educators and daycare providers, those in the utilities and transportation sectors, corrections staff, and those working in food processing and at grocery stores.

This week, Nebraska is scheduled to receive 27,200 first doses, including 11,700 Pfizer doses and 15,500 Moderna doses. Second doses shipments scheduled for this week total 22,900, including 11,700 Pfizer doses and 11,200 Moderna doses.

DHHS is allocating doses via an existing vaccine network. More than 115 sites across Nebraska receive vaccine shipments.

COVID-19 vaccines are not yet available to the public and it’s expected to be late spring before mass vaccination begins.