‘This is what offense looks like’ - Lincoln hosts mass vaccination clinic at PBA

LINCOLN, NE — It might not be Pinnacle Bank Arena’s intended use, but it is a reason to cheer in the capital city.

Lincoln hosted its first mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday. Inside the arena, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird used a sports analogy to put the day in perspective.

“For so long this team has been playing defense," Gaylor Baird said. "For so long we’ve been playing defense. This is what offense looks like. We are playing offense today against this virus and in this pandemic.”

About 2200 people in Phase 1A of the state’s vaccine plan were vaccinated at the clinic. That phase includes home health providers, pharmacy staff and dentists, like Dr. Brandon Chapek.

“I think this is really the next step or the big key to ensure that oral health and access to that oral healthcare is available without any delays to people," Chapek said.

Patients were temperature scanned at arrival, had paperwork checked, then a nurse from Bryan Health, CHI St. Elizabeth or a private clinic administered the vaccine. Pharmacists prepared syringes and arena staff disinfected the space. After receiving their dose, patients were required to wait 15 minutes in case side effects immediately showed up.

Health Director Pat Lopez says it’s a massive event to coordinate.

“Everything from how many syringes do you need, how many alcohol wipes, where is your trash, where is your needle disposal,” Lopez said.

Lopez says she was emotional talking to her team before the event because it represents such a significant step in the city’s pandemic response.

“This is really a historic event," Lopez said. "It’s a symbol that our community is going to be moving forward.”

Lopez says there's about 6,000 people left in Phase 1A for the Lincoln and Lancaster County district. The city is expecting to get another 3,900 doses of vaccine early next week.