How Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Work?
Learn about how the vaccine works within our bodies to provide immunity to the coronavirus, and how this compares with some other common vaccines.
Local health departments decide when different groups are eligible to receive a vaccine. You may continue to check back to this page for updates on how to schedule to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as they become available. If you have questions about when you might be able to receive a vaccine, check with your local health department. If your county has registration capabilities, we are encouraging patients to register. Vaccine distribution is owned by the states and local health departments. When CHI Health is able to offer vaccines to broader groups, we will update that information on this page.
The FDA issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in December 2020. An EUA for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was issued in February 2021. We do not know exactly how soon everyone will get the vaccine, but we can tell you the order of prioritization as we follow state guidelines. State Guidelines (Nebraska). State guidelines (Iowa).
The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) and its community partners will host four community clinics beginning Feb. 1 in an effort to provide Douglas County residents in Phase 1B with their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. One of the locations that they have chosen for distribution is CHI Health Immanuel.
At this time, those 65 or older can head over to the DCHD sign up page to sign up for the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone in this group who does not have any computer access is asked to call the Health Department’s Information Line at (402) 444-3400 to set an appointment (stay on the line to hear full list of options.)
If you are coming to Immanuel for your appointment, here is a wayfinding map of where to park near the Immanuel conference center.
For more information, including all locations and times, view the full DCHD press release.
For Sarpy County, visit the Sarpy/Cass Public Health website or call (402) 593-3678.
Visit the City of Lincoln Health Department website for those 65 and over.
Visit the Central District Health Department website or call (308) 385-5175 and leave your name, birthdate and phone number. Because of limited vaccine, the plan is to start with those age 90 and over, and then gradually expand to other age groups as vaccine becomes available. You will be contacted by phone when you are able to be scheduled.
Individuals wanting to receive the vaccine should begin the process by registering with Two Rivers Public Health Department. (Calling our primary care clinics will not speed process as we cross-reference the health departments list with our own. The health department list is the “master” list.)
Visit the Two Rivers Public Health Department website for more information and to register.
Visit the Southeast District Health Department website or call (402) 274-3993.
Visit the Taylor County Public Health website.
For information on all other Nebraska or Iowa counties, please visit the links below:
For answers to general questions about getting a vaccine at VA, read the VA FAQs. If you don’t find your answer there, call MyVA411 main information line at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).
In an ongoing effort to answer questions and concerns around the COVID vaccine within our Black and Brown community, the Nebraska Department of Health is hosting and online town hall. The town hall will provide a space where residents can receive accurate information from public health and medical officials regarding the various vaccines for a population that is twice as likely to contract, four times as likely to be hospitalized, and three times as likely to die from COVID-19. View the two times below to register.
Event address for attendees: https://sonvideo.webex.com/sonvideo/onstage/g.php?MTID=edc504840e4f3c84cf63b4e4b5dede55a
Event number: 187 832 7038
Event password: DMeWMiDR332
Presenters:
Where: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88394277558?pwd=SllZZnpqYjBaeXVaNGFRMXd1MzVkdz09https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/us02web.zoom.us/j/88394277558?pwd=SllZZnpqYjBaeXVaNGFRMXd1MzVkdz09__;!!CqLityr3mSQ!VpRXCe1BS9Za2H7UjNXFIX9QjipGe8cc1E_jZQ-z0zVbZR_AU5D0yom984wwxLF6tQBnVSFCDA$
Meeting ID: 883 9427 7558
Passcode: 007704
Presenters:
At CommonSpirit Health, safety is our priority, and we only administer vaccines that are recommended by the FDA as safe and effective.
Initial supply of a COVID-19 vaccine may be limited, and federal guidelines indicate that health care workers should be among the first to get the vaccine in order to ensure health systems are able to continue to provide care through the pandemic and beyond. Additionally, first responders and employees and patients in long-term care centers and other similar facilities will also likely receive the vaccines first, when they are available. We expect that vaccines may be widely available by spring or summer 2021.
Please see above for county health information on where to sign up for the vaccine in your county.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, administered three or four weeks apart. When a vaccine is given, information will be provided about when to get the second dose.
It is important to complete the 2-dose series in order to optimize protection. Protection from the vaccine is not immediate. It will take one to two weeks following the second dose to be considered fully vaccinated.
CDC guidelines allow for up to six weeks between doses to maintain vaccine efficacy. If you go beyond six weeks between doses, you do not need to re-start the series, but you should get the second dose as soon as you can.
No, vaccination of persons with known current infection will be deferred until the person has recovered from the acute illness (if the person had symptoms) and criteria have been met for them to discontinue quarantine.
The COVID-19 vaccine should be administered alone with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, wait to get vaccinated until your quarantine period has ended to avoid potentially exposing those around you.
Yes. Not enough information is currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide in real-world conditions before making that decision. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision. We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. CDC will continue to update this page as we learn more.
It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines that require 2 shots may not protect you until a week or two after your second shot.
While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic. To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:
Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following CDC’s recommendations for how to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, Frequently Asked Questions are available on the CDC website and FDA website.
Also visit the DHHS website for local information in Nebraska, or the IDPH website for information in Iowa.