West Central District Health Department offering vaccines to people age 75 and up
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - The West Central District Health Department (WCDHD) is moving into the next phase of vaccinating people from COVID-19. The phase is Phase 1B, Tier I.
Anyone in the district aged 75 and up may now register for the COVID-19 vaccine. Only people aged 75 and up should register at this time, as to not bog down the system at WCDHD. However, if you are a person that fits the definition of persons in Phase 1A, and you have not yet been vaccinated, and wish to be, you may still register to do so.
A mass “closed pod” vaccination program is being held on Saturday, January 9. Once you register, the WCDHD will call you to tell you when and where your vaccination appointment is. It is important to get this call so that the health department can confirm your appointment time. If you miss your call, please call the health department to follow up.
WCDHD is working diligently to make the registration process accessible to everyone.
There are several providers/pharmacies teaming up with WCDHD to help with registration for those people who do not have access to the internet. Those helping with registrations are: Great Plains Family Medicine, Area on Aging, Bill’s U-Save Pharmacy, Dr. Margaret and Steve Boyer in Mullen, RX Express, and Midlands Family Medicine. Each have people available and willing to help citizens register for the vaccine. The WCDHD has a person available at the office, as well, to walk individuals through the process.
If you are able to register online, here are some easy to follow steps to register (see pictures below for additional help):
- Go to the health department’s website: https://wcdhd.org/
- At the bottom of the banner navigate to the second column titled: COVID-19 Resources.
- Hover your mouse over the title (COVID-19 Resources) and a drop down list opens.
- Go to the third item down: COVID-19 Vaccine, and click that option to open a new page.
- On the new page you will find a link: https://nalhd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3dDPoU52zSTmgJf which opens the registration form. (You may click on this link to bypass steps 1-4, and go directly to registration form).
- In addition, there are links at the bottom of the page defining each phase and who is in each phase. Right now the WCDHD is entering Phase 1B, Tier One.
- Important note: Each blank on the registration form must be completed to be accurate. If you are uncomfortable answering a question, simply place “N/A” in the blank. You must enter your social security number, but it is not viewable to anyone in the health department, only added so that you may access your own vaccine records at a later time.
Executive Director of the WCDHD Shannon Vanderheiden says all people aged 75 and up are encouraged to get the vaccine, even if they have already recovered from the virus. Anyone in quarantine must wait until they are out of quarantine. And anyone with the Antibody IV infusion must wait 90 days before getting the vaccine.
There is no date set yet for any further phasing of vaccines, but Vanderheiden hopes the vaccine will be available to everyone by mid-spring. She tells News 2 that it remains ever important to continue wearing masks and social distancing as we go through the vaccination process, and she says even if you have had the vaccine and are exposed, that for now you must still quarantine.
“As more data comes out, that is all subject to change. It is so important to look for the positive.” - Executive Director of the WCDHD Shannon Vanderheiden
