NOW OPEN VACCINE TIMESLOTS FOR NEXT WEEK  Thursday, March 18. In order to schedule yourself for this week's clinic you must meet the following requirements:

• This must be your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
• Live or work in Saunders County, Nebraska
• Have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days
• Have not had another vaccine in the past 14 days

Be in one of the following categories: 65 years of age or older, Healthcare workers, Emergency Medical Services, Grocery Workers, Transportation (Trucking, Railroad, Gas Stations), Postal Service Workers, Public Transit Workers, First Responders, Law Enforcement, Food Processing, Meat Packing Employees, Co-op employees, Seed and Feed company employees, Meat Packing Plant workers, Corrections Officers/Staff, Educators/School Staff/Daycare employees, Funeral Home Staff and Coroners, Homeless Shelter Staff, OR Utilities

As we work to complete COVID vaccinations for Saunders County residents 65 and older, we want to ensure that no one has been left behind. If you are 65+, reside in Saunders County, and have not yet been contacted to receive your first COVID-19 vaccination, you can use this link to schedule an appointment (even if you previously registered, and for some reason haven’t been contacted). Register at https://nalhd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9uHzwp45Bh4GpRY

Just a friendly reminder that masks need to stay on both visitor and resident for the entire visit, so if you want to bring in a meal or favorite treat we will save it for later for your loved one. We appreciate your cooperation.

NEW INDOOR VISITATION GUIDELINES: We are so excited to announce new indoor visitation guidance for our SMC Skilled & Long Term Care residents! Due to the importance of maintaining infection prevention practices, the following guidelines are in place for visitors:

• Limit 2 visitors per resident
• Visitors will be screened at the door
• Visitors will be asked to use hand hygiene and wear well-fitting masks.
• Visitors will be asked to go directly to resident room or designated area and remain there during entire visit.
• Visitor and resident will each wear a mask and maintain 6-foot social distancing throughout whole visit.
• Visiting hours will be from 9am-8pm daily, excluding meal times.
• Visits will be limited 2 hours per resident.
• Visitors unable to adhere to these guidelines will be asked to leave.

Thank you for taking the necessary precautions to keep our residents safe. We look forward to seeing you back in the building! Be Well.

We have some exciting news to share – We are opening up this week’s COVID vaccination clinic to more people! In order to schedule yourself for this week's clinic you must meet the following requirements:

• This must be your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
• Live or work in Saunders County, Nebraska
• Have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days
• Have not had another vaccine in the past 14 days

Be in one of the following categories: 65 years of age or older, Healthcare workers, Emergency Medical Services, Grocery Workers, Transportation (Trucking, Railroad, Gas Stations), Postal Service Workers, Public Transit Workers, First Responders, Law Enforcement, Food Processing, Meat Packing Employees, Co-op employees, Seed and Feed company employees, Meat Packing Plant workers, Corrections Officers/Staff, Educators/School Staff/Daycare employees, Funeral Home Staff and Coroners, Homeless Shelter Staff, OR Utilities

As we work to complete COVID vaccinations for Saunders County residents 65 and older, we want to ensure that no one has been left behind. If you are 65+, reside in Saunders County, and have not yet been contacted to receive your first COVID-19 vaccination, you can use this link to schedule an appointment (even if you previously registered, and for some reason haven’t been contacted). Family members and caregivers of individuals 65+ are encouraged to assist in getting them registered. Sign up on the link below to register to get your vaccine: https://nalhd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9uHzwp45Bh4GpRY

Saunders Medical Center is scheduled to begin receiving limited quantities of the Covid-19 vaccine over the next coming weeks. We are working with Three Rivers Health department and reviewing our list of eligible vaccination candidates ages 75 and older. Patients with known chronic medical conditions will be vaccinated as a priority within this age group.  Once we receive the vaccine we will notify our eligible patients and county residents from the Three Rivers waitlist to schedule a vaccination appointment. Due to the very limited vaccine supply, we will be reaching out to schedule these appointments at this time.

Three Rivers Health Department continues to accept registrations for people age 65+ Please complete the form at this Health Department link: https://nalhd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIMxIHw90x0M4xo?fbclid=IwAR18hHLhBAMzBJjzMCE0F_He18-N7iZgfJnedgyLAUabdzlDHhSa9mj_isw .

We know our community is eager to receive the vaccine. And we are eager for you to receive it as well. SMC currently does not have vaccines for ages 65+ or the general public. Patients with chronic medical conditions will be vaccinated as a priority within the age groups. Check back here for updates. As we receive vaccines, each age group and priority will be contacted.

Saunders Medical Center received its first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week. Based on the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services and Three Rivers Public Health Department, we are currently providing vaccines to SMC Staff and Emergency Medical Services within the communities that we serve. Staff vaccinations started yesterday (12/21/2020) and EMS will start tomorrow (12/23/2020).

It is unclear at this time, when we will receive an allocation of vaccine that is designated for administration to the public - please understand this decision is not in our power. Since the exact avenues for receipt of the vaccine for the public have not been communicated to us yet, we are not accepting names for a waiting list to receive the vaccine. We will share more information with the public as soon as it is made clear to us. Be Well!