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Nebraska opens vaccines to people 65-plus, will consider those with medical conditions

Jeffrey Robb , Julie Anderson
Jan 13, 2021
Jan 13, 2021 Updated 6 hrs ago
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Andrew Meade Jan 13, 2021 3:43pm

Hopefully they are done offering the vaccine to the healthy 25 year-olds who work in the hospital and clinics' billing department.

Andrew Meade Jan 13, 2021 3:46pm

So the waiting lists of those over 75, to get the shots, are full and none have been given to them outside of nursing homes, and they expand to 65 years. What sense does that make? Please Rickets, grow a brain and quit mindlessly getting your clues from Trump.

JIM REGAN Jan 13, 2021 3:59pm

Andrew, I see this is a federal directive intended solely to allow Trump to say he was for letting more people get vaccinated while knowing the logistics will not allow it and will mainly just result in more confusion.

Competence is not the goal. It never is with this administration.

Eddie Jordan Jan 14, 2021 10:31pm

Not just Ricketts happening nationwide. They vaccinate the elderly Covid deaths go to 0 and the panic goes away. Have to keep this thing going.

Linda WILSON Jan 13, 2021 6:50pm

Well they just missed three days of nice weather to hold an outdoor mass vaccination event. Maybe utilize the CHI Health Center? I agree with Andrew, priority of the shots should have been strictly age-based and not tied to an occupation.

DENNIS KERR Jan 14, 2021 3:56pm

I work with both school children and older (often retired) workers. I would feel terrible if I was not vaccinated and carried covid to another older person.

Linda WILSON Jan 14, 2021 5:02pm

FYI - Even though vaccinated, one may still be able to carry the virus and spread it to others. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/12/956051995/why-you-should-still-wear-a-mask-and-avoid-crowds-after-getting-the-covid-19-vac

Eddie Jordan Jan 14, 2021 10:32pm

Good lord. You got a mask you they are bulletproof.

Linda WILSON Jan 14, 2021 6:14pm

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/doing-the-touchy-math-on-who-should-get-a-covid-vaccine-first/

"Almost no matter what, you get the same answer,” says Harvard epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch. Vaccinate the elderly first to prevent deaths, he says, and then move on to other, healthier groups or the general population."

Tom Jewell Jan 13, 2021 7:34pm

But what about prisoners & those on death row? They need protection ahead of those paying for their 'room & board'.

DENNIS KERR Jan 14, 2021 3:53pm

When I volunteered with our prison ministry at our church. I learned that many kinds of people from all kinds of income and cultures are there. When we choose to punish people and keep them in close quarters together, we are not trying to sentence everyone with the death penalty. Abandoning people in prison is a Soviet thing to do, not an American thing.

BILL EIDAM Jan 14, 2021 5:35am

According to the NE Dept of Environment/Energy, in 2015 the combined total of the 60-64/64-69 age groups was approximately 200,000. Five years later those same people would be in the 65-69/70-74 age groups. Where did this 'top official' come up with 300,000-400,000????

Kris Thompson Jan 14, 2021 10:51am

Your comment addresses the article lede: "Nebraska will start vaccinating anyone 65 years old and older as part of its next phase in administering the COVID-19 vaccine. But a top official in Nebraska’s vaccine effort cautioned that the shifting priority will add 300,000 to 400,000 people to the next vaccine group."

But later in the article we read: "The new recommendation calls for vaccinating people 65 and older, along with younger people with documented medical conditions."

And later still: "The second part of the shifting advice involves people with medical conditions. Ling said the state will work with health care officials to determine which high-risk medical conditions would qualify in the 1b group."

So the 300,000 to 400,000 includes not only those aged between 65 and 74, but also those younger with selected medical conditions.

John Za Jan 14, 2021 12:37pm

I'm certain most comment off the headline. SMH.

BILL EIDAM Jan 14, 2021 4:46pm

So the additional 200,000 is just a shot in the dark since the article states they have yet, "to determine which high-risk medical conditions would qualify in the 1b group." ?

Hjalmer Anderson Jan 14, 2021 7:29am

I see proclamations and press releases but that's nothing. The real challenge is implementation. Where are the actual locations, times, databases for patients, and the real logistics of doing this? My wife is 80 with all kinds of preexisting conditions and on the health department list for those over 75. We haven't heard a word. They've had a year to develop a plan. Ricketts should be implementing NOW.

RUSS RATHJEN Jan 14, 2021 12:05pm

I am over 75 and have patiently waited for 1b to arrive. Now, just as promises are being extended that 1b is here, we find out that those who are over 65 will be included. And who knows maybe in another week, those who are over 35 will be included. Has the science of being over 75 putting one at greater risk of Covid now being rejected. I hope every one can get the immunization as soon as possible, but if the initial plan to vaccinate those over 75 because of high risk, why change?

Eddie Jordan Jan 14, 2021 10:34pm

One would think people were lying dead in the streets from the virus with all the whining and fighting going on over a vaccine. Reminds me of Black Friday at a Walmart store. Everyone running to the bid screen TVs. The power of the media and how it shapes the sheep and causes division.