Vaccination eligibility broadens, retail pharmacies ahead of schedule

NORFOLK, Neb. -Vaccinations are opening up to a younger age group in Nebraska on Monday.

Much of the rollout is being handled by retail pharmacies including HyVee.

“We were able to go ahead and move to vaccinate those 18 and older in Nebraska earlier this week,” said HyVee Public Relations Director, Christina Gayman. 

Gayman says the pharmacy is able to vaccinate more than just the locals.

“The CDC itself does not say you need to be a resident of a specific county,” Gayman said. 

Because of that flexibility, people from all over Nebraska can travel to any HyVee that has an available slot, and in some cases, that’s quite a few. 

Gayman says the increase in appointment slots could be due to the fact the entire state hasn’t moved to the younger age range yet, and also because of a rise in vaccine doses. 

“Fewer vaccines were available eight weeks ago, and now the CDC and the Biden administration have helped ramp up the number that are available,” said Gayman. 

Although the CDC has not given a set residency requirement, some county guidelines have to be followed.

“In certain counties and in certain states we have called some individuals and asked them to go ahead and get vaccinated in their own state,” Gayman said.

Gayman says when it comes to a mass vaccination clinic, using every dose is a priority.

“If someone comes from another state, we are not turning them down,” Gayman said. “We’re not wasting any doses.”

See check availability at a HyVee near you click HERE.

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