LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) - Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts discussed the continuing vaccination effort in the state during a press conference on Monday.
He said 750,000 Nebraskans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which residents can register for by visiting this website. He also said that the state ranks fifth in the country for vaccinating vulnerable populations.
The number of Johnson & Johnson vaccines being sent to Nebraska is being reduced this week, but will continue to have robust supplies of Moderna and Pfizer.
In a news release on Friday afternoon, the State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Douglas County Health Department acknowledged that a patient who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine experienced blood clots two weeks after receiving the vaccine. The person was treated at Nebraska Medicine and the incident will be investigated, according to DHHS.
National data suggests the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe and effective, according to DHHS. Nebraska doesn't have plans to temporarily suspect vaccinations with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Last week, 33,000 vaccinations were given to Nebraskans in one day, setting a new record for the state.
As of last Friday, 237 COVID-19 variants were found in the state. There were 187 cases of the U.K. strain identified, 48 cases of the California strain and two cases of the Brazil strain. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said there are likely more cases of variants as the state does random sampling.
Six individuals with identified strains of COVID-19 have been hospitalized.
The state of Nebraska is now in phase 2B which allows anyone in the state 16 and older to get vaccinated. Residents can register through this website or with their local health district. Additionally, people can check their area pharmacies for open appointments.
A new Directed Health Measure is in effect regarding those who have completed antibody tests. Unvaccinated individuals who test positive for antibodies are not required to quarantine if it’s within 30 days of the completed antibody test. However, those who experience symptoms of COVID-19 are still required to quarantine.
More details on that change will come later this week.
Additionally, officials discussed the Military Spouse Transition Program which will help military families on active duty in Nebraska work to find state employment for spouses. Visit this website for more information.
During the question and answer time, the governor said he's excited about the NCAA volleyball tournament coming to Omaha because it will showcase the city.
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