“Prior to the COVID vaccine clinics, the Administrator and the Facility’s Medical Director created a video urging staff to do their part and get vaccinated. When non-clinical, administrative staff step -up and get the vaccine it filters down to the patient care staff members as well. This is how we were able to have the majority of our workforce vaccinated. Protecting our staff and residents is a priority within our company.” — Ambassador Health Omaha
“We were pleased to achieve over 70% staff vaccination.” — Blue Valley Lutheran Home, Hebron
“The staff did not want to be part of a “clinical trial” and were uneasy about getting the vaccination. We had the first round of Pfizer and less than 50% of staff received it due to fear of side effects. Our infection Preventionist kept educating them on side effects and benefits of the vaccination, so our second round a lot more staff had signed up. We had a Johnson and Johnson clinic and even more staff got the vaccination. We’ve had 1 staff member positive with Covid in the last few months and she was not vaccinated. The rates are way down in our facility and it feels great.” — Brookside Rehabilitation Center, Lincoln
“The residents actually brought the energy to the process of vaccination. To see their faces light up and to see hope in their eyes after these long months of Covid, was inspiring. CHCC has 70% of the staff who have been vaccinated. The biggest barrier was all the misinformation out there on the internet, face book, and other media sources. People were afraid. So about half of the staff went first and only had mild to no side effects from dose one or dose two. This was helpful so a few more people signed up to take the vaccine. Residents are excited but starting to get frustrated as the guidance has not changed for them. So we are still excited to have that extra layer of protection, but really wanting to see the new guidance and what does it really mean to be vaccinated.“ — Christian Homes Care Community, Holdrege
“We have reached over 70% Staff vaccinated. We are still facing barriers related to misinformation from other sources and what Staff believes or have heard from social media. At this time no changes have happened based on our county rate being high” — Clarkson Community Care Center
“Initiated vaccinations for staff through our parent Health System, Methodist Fremont Health in January 2021. We provided ALOT of vaccine information week to week to staff and focused on specific issues that we heard from staff when rounding with them as they may have been identified as not having signed up as yet for the vaccine. We also offered one on one conversations with our infectious disease physician if they wished. We don’t know if any staff opted to access this resource. Our DON even accompanied a few staff members during their vaccination to support any fears they might have had and/or escorted them to another Health System vaccination clinic to receive their vaccine. Some we just couldn’t change their minds at this point, but will continue to encourage and push out additional information as the outcomes of vaccination become more available and known. We have seen a dramatic decrease in potential positives or confirmed positives in both staff and residents since vaccinations have been completed, which is so encouraging. Our last positive resident and staff was well over a month ago and the facility has been in GREEN ever since. We have been able to expand visitation because of this and have continued confidence in the safety and protection of our residents and staff with increasing community vaccination efforts, which we also participate in covering these vaccination clinics so they can support the ongoing effort of community vaccination.” — Dunklau Gardens
“The teammates at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home have worked hard to keep COVID-19 out of our facility. Along with the proper use of PPE and excellent COVID-related infection control practices, we are proud of reaching the 70% threshold of teammate vaccinations. We went all out to make our vaccination clinics a celebration since it is so exciting to have this new tool against COVID. We made cutouts of leadership as superheroes in the fight against COVID, put up special thank you posters throughout the facility, and provided treats to everyone who got the vaccine. We will continue to strive for 100% of our teammates to become fully vaccinated in our ongoing efforts to keep our Veteran Heroes safe from COVID-19.” — Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home
“We are grateful for the opportunity to host COVID vaccine clinics with the Gerimed Pharmacy. Residents and staff are so happy to receive this vaccine so that we can start having visitors again.” — Florence Home
“Residents and staff welcomed the opportunity to be vaccinated with open arms and sleeves rolled up. Staff and residents knew that getting vaccinated was a major step in being able to allow residents to reconnect with their loved ones in person instead of just through technology, a closed window, or a room divider. They were eager to be a part of “Project Hug” through Good Shepherd’s partnership with Community Pharmacy. Good Shepherd Lutheran Community includes both Good Shepherd Lutheran Home (Skilled and Long-term care facility) and Shepherd’s Village – Assisted Living. Good Shepherd Lutheran Home had 70% of the staff fully vaccinated by February 9, 2021. Shepherd’s Village had 90% of employees fully vaccinated by February 9, 2021.” — Good Shepherd Lutheran Community, Blair
“Knowing the difference it would make it our residents, our team did what we felt was right. We are all exhausted from fighting to keep this virus out and we are welcoming any positive change this vaccine may bring.” — Heritage Care Center, Fairbury
“Hillcrest Firethorn has had 74% of team members successfully complete two rounds of vaccine and 10% of the remaining have had their first dose awaiting the second. We have not had a positive case of covid-19 in the building since the beginning of December. Most of the team were excited to comply with the vaccine as it would help protect those we serve as well as their family.” — Hillcrest Firethorn, Lincoln
“Legacy Square is a 40 bed long-term care facility that is located on the Henderson Health Care campus. It is a new facility that was opened July 2019. 73% of staff have received their COVID vaccine. 2020 was a long, stressful year and staff and residents are praying that 2021 will be a better year! The residents at Legacy Square are looking forward to seeing their loved ones once again!” — Legacy Square, Henderson
“My Assisted Living Facility staff has embraced this whole journey and have been so supportive to all the residents.” — Louisville Care Community, ALF
“My Long Term Care Facility staff had to overall re-frame their minds with IC processes.” — Louisville Care Community, LTCF
“For those that were vaccinated there is a feeling of ‘hope, relief, and encouragement’ that they are able to be moving forward to CRUSH COVID! The facility purchased t-shirts for all the staff that got the vaccine and this was much appreciated by staff!” — Mid-Nebraska Lutheran Home, Newman Grove
“The staff wanted to get vaccinated so that they could return to hopefully a normal life.” — Mitchell Care Center, Mitchell
“We were able to have 71% of the staff vaccinated through education and one on one meetings with them. Each of vaccination clinics was filled with joy and excitement. We are looking forward to what is going to come in the near future to enhance the life’s of our residents.” — New Cassel, Omaha
“Our journey with the vaccine for Covid-19 has been trying. With the unknown to the virus, many staff and residents wanted more facts from trials and to be aware of side effects. With support from our Medical support team, we have had success to vaccinate 90% of residents and 70% of our staff.” — Nye Pointe, Fremont
“Our residents are looking forward to the day when they can go out and about-take their cars for a spin and go visit their children.” — Prairie Breeze, Pender
“Some were just concerned about the standard of vaccine and young females with fertility.” — Tabitha at the Landing, Lincoln
“There was hesitancy with the quickness of the vaccine development with staff. Residents were very willing as they felt like it was their chance to regain normalcy.” — Tri Valley AL, Cambridge
“We just completed our 2nd series of vaccinations. Everyone is excited to see what the future holds!.” — Wel-Life, Papillion
Page last reviewed: April 26, 2021