Omaha residents flocked to the Christ Community Church Tuesday morning where they waited in line to receive the highly-sought COVID-19 vaccine. However, some residents were met with disappointment when the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) announced the vaccine would be handed out in phases.
“We don’t have enough of the vaccine to get it out to everybody all at once, so we have to hand it out to those most in need, such as health care providers and those with underlying health conditions”, said Phil Rooney, the DCHD research specialist.
Rooney also went into detail about the phases, explaining that each phase determines who is eligible for the vaccine and is labeled. Omaha is currently in phase 1B, he said.
Other members of the Omaha community such as Kevin, a pharmaceutical trainee here in Omaha, agreed that vaccines were being handed out slowly, but predicted things will get better soon.
“Hopefully, I think the pace will start to pick up a little bit”, Kevin said.
Rooney said between 700 and 2,000 vaccines were handed out the week before.
As a final remark, Rooney urged Omaha residents who are wary about receiving the vaccine to get it as soon as possible.
“Residents should get it as soon as possible so we can get back to the good life,” Rooney said.
Anyone interested in learning more about the COVID-19 vaccine and where to receive it can visit the Christ Community Church in Omaha or reach out to the Douglas County Health Department for more information.
