Saline County has announced that it will begin Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday.
At this time, only residents age 65 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine, according to information released this afternoon by the Saline County Health Department.
"Local health experts determined that due to their high mortality and hospitalization rate that senior citizens are the highest priority group included in Phase 2," the health department noted.
After approximately a third of the over-65 population has been vaccinated, the community health partners will evaluate the ability to move to the next step of Phase 2, according to the health department. Phase 2 also includes high-contact critical workers and those in congregate settings, the health department explained.
"Phases and priority groups within each phase will be determined by supply and demand – not time. Phases will move forward as quickly as possible," the health department noted.
A temporary vaccination location has been set up in the former JC Penney store in the Central Mall to allow the community health partners a single site from which to operate with minimal impact on daily operations, the health department noted.
Vaccines will be given by appointment only and will only be available to those over 65 years old and those in Phase 1 who have yet to be vaccinated.
Due to the limited number of vaccines provided to Saline County each week, mandatory waiting time, vaccine storage requirements, social distancing protocols, and staffing challenges, there will be no walk-in appointments, the health department explained.
Appointment scheduling is only available online. Appointments cannot be taken over the phone or in person at this time.
The county website to sign up for vaccinations is scheduled to be available at 10 a.m. Friday.
Persons under age 65 or those who have not been told they are in Phase 1 are urged to not make appointments at this time.
"Appointments will open up as vaccines become available," the health department noted.