Vaccine now available to adults 18 and older

According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD), the entire state moved to Phase 2B.
That means all adults 18 and older can receive a COVID vaccination. For those younger, the Pfizer vaccine is available to youths 16 and older.
Phase 2B went into effect Monday.
This does not mean that every health district will immediately be able to vaccinate any adult. It will depend on the amount of vaccine available in each district and frequency of availability, health officials said.
Some local health departments may choose to begin Phase 2B by prioritizing according to age within the phase as the vaccine becomes available.
Chase County Community Hospital (CCCH) has been administering the Moderna vaccine, per phase requirements, for some time now.
“We held a vaccine clinic on Monday in which we celebrated reaching a milestone in the COVID-19 vaccination program. We have now given the 1,000th and 1,001st doses,” said Shawn Jaeger, Marketing & Foundation Coordinator for CCCH.
To sign up to receive the vaccination, call Kay Schmidt, CCCS infection prevention nurse, at 308-882-7217 to leave a name and phone number, or email her at kschmidt@chasecountyhospital.com.
All contacts will be answered in the order they are received.
“The list of vaccination requests gets lighter as time goes on. We are looking forward to the number of vaccinations to be nearly complete in the near future,” said Jaeger.
Vaccinations now available at Adams Drug
Beginning Tuesday, the Janssen one-dose COVID-19 vaccinations by Johnson & Johnson were being given to adults 18 and above at Adams Drug in Imperial.
Jamie Hanes, pharmacist, is administering the vaccinations.
To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination at Adam’s Drug, register online at healthmart covidvaccine.com to fill out paperwork and receive a voucher with an appointment time.
Imperial Manor, Parkview-Heights update
Most of the residents at Imperial Manor, Parkview-Heights have received the COVID-19 vaccination, said Margie Haider, Director of Nursing.
There were a few residents who chose not to take the vaccine, she added.
Staff vaccinations are ongoing with only about 10% of the staff having received the vaccine, said Haider.
The rest want to monitor any reported side effects over time before making a final decision, she added.
“Kay Schmidt, at the hospital, is working close with me on vaccine availability,” Haider said.
Possible side effects
Mild side effects like a sore arm and fatigue are some of the most common symptoms with COVID-19 vaccines.
While many people will have no symptoms, for others there can be headaches, chills or a fever.
These side effects are normal and a sign the body is building protection. Health officials say vaccine recipients should be feeling better within a few days.
Those receiving their first dose are reminded to keep their vaccination record card in a safe place and take it to their second dose appointment.