Care home vaccinations complete

Residents at Golden Ours Convalescent Home and Park Ridge assisted living received their first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week. 

Perkins County Health Services CEO Neil Hilton said half of the shots were completed Monday with the other half on Tuesday. 

Initially, Hilton said they planned to use a program administered through the state, which had contracted with national pharmacy outlets to provide the shots to the state’s nursing homes.  

After numerous delays, Hilton contacted the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. They could provided the 60 needed doses so Hilton went to McCook to pick up the vaccine. 

Hilton said his staff is more than capable of administering the vaccine, having already vaccinated 200 staff members. 

He said they began administering the second dose of the vaccine regimen to staff members this week. 

The second shot is due 28 days after the first shot. 

People in the health district can go on-line to sign up for the vaccine waiting list at www.swhealth.ne.gov/featured/1 

The office noted it could be weeks or even months before people receive a call to schedule the vaccination.

Priority is based on age, health condition and the occupation of the registrant.

Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services estimates vaccines for the general public will be available sometime between May and October.