The Perfect Enemy | Omaha-based pharmacy chain begins administering new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Hours after the CDC gave final approval to the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination formulas from Pfizer and Moderna, Omaha residents were already receiving some of the initial doses.

Kohll’s Pharmacy began administering Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccination doses at its Millard location, at 12741 Q St., on Friday.

“I’m just excited to protect myself and others. I have a friend that has cancer, so there’s extra responsibility on me to be careful around her,” said Susan Sosnowski, the first recipient of the new booster at the Kohll’s location.

A Kohll’s pharmacist told 6 News that a total of 500 Moderna doses had been sent to its pharmacies in the Omaha-metro area, and that the company was consolidating the vaccinations in order to administer them from its Q Street location. They’re expecting that supply will last them until Tuesday — coincidentally, the same they’re expecting to receive 1,500 doses of the Pfizer bivalent vaccination.

“We never knew when we would be getting more vaccine, but we always ended up getting it before we ran out.,” said David Kohll with Kohll’s Pharmacy.

The Douglas County Health Department expects to receive its own doses within the next week, and has canceled all current COVID-19 vaccination booster appointments for those ages 12 and older until they receive those new shots.

A DCHD spokesman said that they’re receiving the vaccinations a little later than pharmacies like Kohll’s because they have a different contract with the federal government.

“Pharmacies, because they previously had contracts with the federal government, have already received their shipments in some cases,” said Phil Rooney with the health department.

A pharmacist at the Walgreens on 30th and Dodge told 6 News they also received shipments of the new booster Friday morning. The bivalent vaccine booster shipments for the Omaha-area Walgreens came to that location and other Walgreens pharmacies can pick up their stock from there. People can now schedule appointments for the bivalent booster with them as well.

—

This is a developing story. Stay with 6 News for updates.

Digital Director Gina Dvorak contributed to this story.