Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department announces change to COVID vaccine policy [Lincoln Journal Star, Neb.]

Lincoln Journal Star, The (NE)

Oct. 4—The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department said Wednesday that it will no longer provide COVID-19 vaccine shots to people who have private health insurance.

The department said in a news release that it made the change because the federal government is no longer paying for everyone to receive the vaccines free of charge.

The department said it has received shipments of the updated vaccines and will be providing shots free of charge to uninsured adults and children, as well as children who have Medicaid insurance. People must call the Health Department at 402-441-8065 to schedule an appointment.

"The Health Department serves as a safety net for members of our community who have limited health care coverage or none at all and helps ensure they have access to vaccine," Health Director Pat Lopez said in a statement. "Our reach expanded during the pandemic and we provided more than 250,000 doses of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines with assistance from partners. We're now returning to a more traditional role, but if the situation changes, we stand ready to respond."

Most people who have private health insurance should be able to get the vaccine with no out-of-pocket cost through a pharmacy or a health care provider. Seniors with Medicare and adults covered by Medicaid also can get the vaccine through a pharmacy or health provider.

There have been some reports of people struggling to find vaccine appointments in Lincoln, and there does appear to be limited availability.

The vaccines.gov website only listed three CVS locations with COVID-19 vaccine appointments available as of Wednesday, while the Hy-Vee website showed appointments available at only one of its five Lincoln locations.

Health Department spokeswoman Leah Bucco-White said the department checked with some large pharmacy chains who reported having a limited supply of the vaccine.

"We're not aware of any shortage but have heard some shipments seem to be coming slowly compared to the past," Bucco-White said in an email.

COVID-19 cases have been declining locally over the past few weeks after a small spike when school started. The Health Department reported 81 cases in Lancaster County last week, which was half the number reported the week ending Aug. 26.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or [email protected].

On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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