There’s progress in the vaccine rollout for Douglas County, but health leaders are asking for the community’s patience. A new notification sign-up on the health department’s website will allow department staff to know who in phase 1B of the priority vaccination tiers wants to know when vaccine clinics will open. DCHD reiterated this service is not a site for making appointments to receive a vaccine dose.The sheer demand and volume to the website has already caused some issues to the sign-up. DCHD spokesperson Phil Rooney said website designers have had to “duplicate (the link) several times to keep up with the demand. We are aware of the problems and in the process of addressing it. It should be back up and working tonight,” he said.Because it just launched, KETV Newswatch 7 asked DCHC to walk users through the steps. Those ages 65+, as well as those at higher-risk for severe illness, should visit the DCHD website and search near the top of the homepage.DCHC said it’s soft launch of this service over the weekend saw 1,900 people register for the notifications.”Last time I checked, there were probably at least 9,000 people that had already signed up for this,” said Dr. Anne O’Keefe, senior epidemiologist for DCHD. O’Keefe explained the process step by step.First: Users should click the blue ‘Notification List’ text on the homepage.Then, users should see another line of blue where those in priority groups can sign up. “This describes the group that we’re talking about: age 65 and older and people with underlying conditions,” O’Keefe said.Once you click that link, a new tab will pop up. O’Keefe said in that new tab, users will click on the gray and black sign up boxes at the bottom. Then comes the last step:”A form will open up and that’s where you can put your name and carefully type in your email, because that’s the way that we’re going to send the notifications and the updates,” she said.O’Keefe said once DCHD can set up community clinics & partnerships with doctors and pharmacies, this notification resource will send those who are eligible a link with the information needed to make an appointment.”We are working very hard to come up with our own appointment system for our large clinics, so that you don’t have to wait in those long lines,” O’Keefe said. As for any overlaps with the state’s Department of Health and Human Service’s future notification sign up website, O’Keefe said Douglas County had to get its process moving much earlier.”We can’t wait,” she said, “and we are definitely working with and will try to figure out the best way to reduce any confusion.” Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout is expected to be through by the end of January. Once that is complete, the department will move to Phase 1B starting with individuals who are 65 and older. The website’s instructions will be in both English and Spanish. O’Keefe said if it’s your loved one who may be interested and they’re not as tech savvy as you, you can submit their information and then you will get the email to tell them when the clinics will start. Residents can also call the health department’s information line at (402) 444-3400.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Neb. —
There’s progress in the vaccine rollout for Douglas County, but health leaders are asking for the community’s patience.
A new notification sign-up on the health department’s website will allow department staff to know who in phase 1B of the priority vaccination tiers wants to know when vaccine clinics will open.
DCHD reiterated this service is not a site for making appointments to receive a vaccine dose.
The sheer demand and volume to the website has already caused some issues to the sign-up.
DCHD spokesperson Phil Rooney said website designers have had to “duplicate (the link) several times to keep up with the demand. We are aware of the problems and in the process of addressing it. It should be back up and working tonight,” he said.
Because it just launched, KETV Newswatch 7 asked DCHC to walk users through the steps.
Those ages 65+, as well as those at higher-risk for severe illness, should visit the DCHD website and search near the top of the homepage.
DCHC said it’s soft launch of this service over the weekend saw 1,900 people register for the notifications.
“Last time I checked, there were probably at least 9,000 people that had already signed up for this,” said Dr. Anne O’Keefe, senior epidemiologist for DCHD.
O’Keefe explained the process step by step.
First: Users should click the blue ‘Notification List’ text on the homepage.
Then, users should see another line of blue where those in priority groups can sign up. “This describes the group that we’re talking about: age 65 and older and people with underlying conditions,” O’Keefe said.
Once you click that link, a new tab will pop up. O’Keefe said in that new tab, users will click on the gray and black sign up boxes at the bottom. Then comes the last step:
“A form will open up and that’s where you can put your name and carefully type in your email, because that’s the way that we’re going to send the notifications and the updates,” she said.
O’Keefe said once DCHD can set up community clinics & partnerships with doctors and pharmacies, this notification resource will send those who are eligible a link with the information needed to make an appointment.
“We are working very hard to come up with our own appointment system for our large clinics, so that you don’t have to wait in those long lines,” O’Keefe said.
As for any overlaps with the state’s Department of Health and Human Service’s future notification sign up website, O’Keefe said Douglas County had to get its process moving much earlier.
“We can’t wait,” she said, “and we are definitely working with and will try to figure out the best way to reduce any confusion.”
Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout is expected to be through by the end of January. Once that is complete, the department will move to Phase 1B starting with individuals who are 65 and older.
The website’s instructions will be in both English and Spanish. O’Keefe said if it’s your loved one who may be interested and they’re not as tech savvy as you, you can submit their information and then you will get the email to tell them when the clinics will start. Residents can also call the health department’s information line at (402) 444-3400.
