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COVID-19 Testing Services & Vaccine Distribution

Updated May 16, 2022

Based on the availability of community resources to fight COVID-19, the Office of Health Security will be ending some of its services. Included below are testing options for asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, as well as vaccination resources:

Testing Services

No Symptoms

Testing for those without symptoms is currently available for the wider campus community. Students, faculty, and staff should contact their primary care provider for guidance on next steps.

Asymptomatic testing locations are available throughout the metro area, many of which at no charge with proof of medical insurance. Please refer to the Douglas County Health Department website for more details.

Symptomatic

Students, faculty, and staff should contact their primary care provider for guidance on the next steps if they believe they have symptoms of COVID.

Members of the Maverick community can also call 402.554.2374 to schedule an appointment at Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center.

To get tested at the Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center, you must schedule a telehealth appointment with one of their providers, who will determine during the visit if testing is warranted. Testing for asymptomatic individuals is not currently available through the UNO Health Center.

You will receive a phone call or portal message with your test results and next steps.

NOTE: Fees may be applied to COVID-19 testing at the Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center. Please call 402.554.2374 with specific questions you may have.

Under the University of Nebraska's Medical Benefits plan through UMR, faculty and staff would have the costs of the telehealth appointment covered.


If you are waiting for test results

If you have symptoms and get tested for COVID-19 it is crucial that you quarantine until you receive the results of your test. Please follow any guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control.


If you are deciding whether or not to get tested

People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19—excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 90 days or who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines:

  • People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms.

  • People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.

  • People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and do not have symptoms.

If you test positive for COVID-19

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please contact the DCHD’s COVID-19 information line at 402.444.3400. For residents outside Douglas County, please contact your local public health department. For additional information, please refer to the Douglas County website or your local health department.

For travel guidance or other COVID-19 related questions, please refer to the current Centers for Disease Control website.

Vaccine Distribution

The University of Nebraska at Omaha Office of Health Security strongly encourages all students, faculty, and staff to take advantage of COVID-19 vaccination opportunities by signing up for an appointment or attending a walk-in clinic as soon as possible.

The Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center offers Pfizer vaccines to current UNO students, faculty and staff. Call 402.554.2374 to schedule an appointment.

Current COVID-19 vaccination locations that may offer vaccines include:


If you are 18 and under, you will need parental consent and a guardian present with you in order to get the vaccine.

Students are encouraged to regularly monitor the Douglas County Health Department website.

Students who reside outside of Douglas County should check with their area health department for the latest vaccination information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my insurance cover the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Many insurance plans do cover the costs of COVID-related medical care, including vaccinations. Please refer to the Douglas County Health Department website for specific locations throughout the community that offer no-cost vaccinations.


Is the vaccine mandatory?

No. At this time, the vaccine is not mandatory at UNO; though it is highly encouraged as the most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19.


Will we be able to choose which vaccine we receive?

At this time, we do not know the logistics or availability of the two vaccine products, so it is not possible to select which vaccine we will receive.


If you get the Pfizer vaccine initially, does the second dose also need to be Pfizer?

Yes. You must finish the vaccine series with the same product you received for the first dose. This is true for both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine series.


Will this be an annual vaccination similar to the flu vaccination?

At this point, we do not know the answer. The need for recurrent COVID-19 vaccine will depend upon the duration of immunologic response, which has not yet been identified.

How do I prove that I’ve been vaccinated?

At your first appointment, you’ll receive a vaccination card that says what type of vaccine you received and when you need to get vaccinated for your second dose. This card is your best proof of vaccination so it is a good idea to also take a picture of both sides of it.

If you lose your card, you can also access your Nebraska vaccination records through the Nebraska State Immunization Information System (NESIIS).

You can also call the Information Line, 402.444.3400, available 8:34 A.M. to 4 P.M. Monday through Saturday. If you are having trouble accessing your vaccination records through NESIIS, please consult your health care provider for assistance. NESIIS also has a Help Line at 888.433.2510 or can be reached by email at dhhs.nesiis@nebraska.gov (Note: If you were vaccinated outside of Nebraska, you’ll need to contact that state or vaccine provider.)

More information can be found here: douglascountyhealth.com/109-covid-19.


Is testing mandatory?

Currently at UNO, testing is only required for those living in on-campus housing who do not have proof of vaccination.


Will insurance cover the cost of my COVID-19 test?

Many insurance plans do cover the costs of COVID-related medical care, including testing. Please refer to the Douglas County Health Department website for specific locations throughout the community that offer no-cost testing options.