US CITIZENSHIP NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR COVID VACCINE IN NEBRASKA

OMAHA- A spokesperson for Gov. Ricketts says proof of American citizenship is not required to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Confusion about this decision came after the governor's press briefing Monday. The governor said that illegal immigrants are not allowed to work in meatpacking plants, so why would undocumented workers be apart of the plan in the essential worker category.

Community centers and clinics have been given no direction about how to handle immigration status. CEO of OneWorld, Andrea Skolkin said that limiting vaccinations for that reason would be detrimental to public health. 

Community health providers and advocates are pressing to ensure that people of color and disadvantaged communities have access to COVID-19 vaccines. The plans for how to make this happen are still being formed. Community advocates are urging for early phases of the vaccine plan include minority populations that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 

Phase 1C of the plan includes a broad category of 'vulnerable populations' which will be defined in the coming weeks. The state is working with federally qualified health centers to ensure these vulnerable populations have enough vaccines available to them during this phase. 

People of color in Nebraska are worried about this particular vaccine because of β€œthe shadiness historically with vaccinations and the Black population.” 

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