OMAHA- As part of the next vaccination plan phase, Nebraska will start opening doses of the vaccine to anyone over 65 and will consider people with serious medical conditions with emphasis. One UNMC expert warns this expanded rollout could only cause more confusion to a already frustrating situation for many. This move comes after the vaccine guidance shifted from Operation Warp Speed-- the federal effort to roll out vaccines-- with the Trump administration urged states to open up vaccines for people over 65 rather than 75 and older in this phase.
The second part of this change deals with people with medical conditions. The state is working with health care officials to determine which conditions will qualify in this group. Dr. Mark Rupp from UNMC says he isn't sure how much this will help anything and goes on to say that more vaccines are being sent out than what are actually being put into people's arms.
“I would just plead with folks to continue to have patience,” Rupp said. “We’re working through this as quickly as possible. And overall, the public health services are doing a really good job with this.”