Vax to Business Initiative

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HDHE Vax
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What would you like to do?

What would you like to do?

What you need to know

What would you like to do?

What you need to know

What you need to know

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Vax to Business logo
 

Vax to Business is funded through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services Office of Health Disparities and Health Equity.

The goal is to partner with local small businesses who are trusted messengers in their communities and equip them to act as COVID-19 mitigation advocates to assist underserved, at-risk, and rural populations in making informed COVID-19 related decisions, counter misinformation, and increase COVID-19 vaccinations. This program will help communities continue to mitigate COVID-19 and prepare for possible future outbreaks or variants to reduce negative impacts and make sure communities have all the necessary tools to mitigate COVID-19.

Businesses have three options, and are encouraged to select the option below that best serves their community. 


Funding and Activity Options

$1000 Grant:  Post educational materials and speak with customers about COVID-19 mitigation

Step One: Complete the grant application.

Step Two: Receive selection notification, then sign and return contract.

Step Three: Complete the training.  The training will last two (2) hours and will cover basic information about COVID-19 prevention, vaccinations, frequently asked questions, tips for countering misinformation, and provide practical tools for everyday conversations in their place of business. 

Step Four:  Post educational materials in their place of business and have conversations with customers about COVID-19 mitigation.  Make sure to take photos of posted materials and track the number of conversations.

Step Five: Complete the Online Reporting Form to receive funds.  Grant participants must complete all the above steps, fill out the Online Reporting Form and send your conversation information and photos of posted materials.​

$1500 Grant: Host 1 vaccine event

Step One: Complete the grant application.

Step Two: Receive selection notification, then sign and return contract.

Step Three: Complete the training. The training will last two (2) hours and will cover basic information about COVID-19 prevention, vaccinations, frequently asked questions, tips for countering misinformation, and provide practical tools for everyday conversations in their place of business. 

Step Four:  Post educational materials in their place of business and have conversations with customers about COVID-19 mitigation. Host a vaccine event and promote it. Assistance from the DHHS Vax to Business team is available to help participants connect to the most appropriate vaccine provider: a local pharmacy, health department or a federally qualified health center. The vaccine provider will help to organize the event and provide vaccinations. Make sure to take and save photos of posted materials and track the number of conversations.

Step Five: Complete the Online Reporting Form to receive funds. Grant participants must complete all the above steps, fill out the Online Reporting Form, and send your event information and photos of posted materials.

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$2000 Grant: Host 2 vaccine events

Step One: Ciomplete the grant application.

Step Two: Receive selection notification, then sign and return contract.

Step Three: Complete the training.  The training will last two (2) hours and will cover basic information about COVID-19 prevention, vaccinations, frequently asked questions, tips for countering misinformation, and provide practical tools for everyday conversations in their place of business. 

Step Four: Post educational materials in their place of business and have conversations with customers about COVID-19 mitigation. Host a vaccine event and promote it.  Assistance from the DHHS Vax to Business team is available to help participants connect to the most appropriate vaccine provider: a local pharmacy, health department or a federally qualified health center.  The vaccine provider will help to organize the event and provide vaccinations. Make sure to take and save photos of posted materials and track the number of conversations.

Step Five: Host a second vaccine event and promote it.  Take photos of posted materials and track the number  conversations.  We encourage businesses to work with their vaccine provider to determine the timing of the second vaccine clinic.

Step Six: Complete the Online Reporting Form to receive funds.  Grant participants must complete all the above steps, fill out the Online Reporting Form, and send conversion information and photos of posted materials from both events.


​Application Form

Vax to Business Application, Extended Deadline - English

​Aplicación Vax to Business en e​spañol​​

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​Training

We recommend any employee who is interacting with your customers to participate in the training. We strongly encourage business owners to organize the training in a way that best suits their employees and includes as many employees as feasible. Business owners can do the training with their staff as part of a monthly meeting or other organized event, or distribute training materials to each employee individually so they can complete as time allows.

Vax to Business Training (Section 1) / En español

Vax to Business Training (Section 2) / En español

Vax to Business Training (Section 3) / En español​

Vax to Business Training (Section 4) / En español​

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Submit the Online Reporting Form after activities are completed   

​​Online Reporting Form​

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Frequently Asked Questions​

Who is involved in this initiative?

Funding is made possible through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as part of their Health Equity Priorities relating to COVID-19 Response.

Key partners:

Who is eligible to receive a grant?

Applicants must be a local small business such as a barber shop, salon, local grocery store, etc. within any* county in the state of Nebraska. For the purposes of this grant, a local small business is a business without chain stores beyond the state of Nebraska, and employing no more than 50 employees across the company.

Priority will be given to participants that serve populations hit hardest by COVID-19 including ethnic and racial minority groups, people living in communities with high social vulnerability, rural communities, people with disabilities, people that are homebound/isolated or lack transportation, and immigrants and/or refugees.

*Businesses providing services in Douglas County are not eligible for these funds. If you're located in Douglas County and are interested in hosting a vaccine event, please contact the Douglas County Health Department at (402) 444-7471. 

How do I participate and what is expected?

Small businesses serving counties with low vaccination rates, at-risk, vulnerable, and rural communities are encouraged to participate by completing an application form, located above.  The expectations are outlined under Funding and Activity Options and are based on the level of funding requested.  Select the funding amount or activity desired.  We recommend that any employee who interacts with your customers participate in the training, and strongly encourage business owners to organize the training in a way that best suits their employees and includes as many employees as feasible. 

Who will provide COVID-19 vaccinations for my event?

​Businesses will partner with a vaccine provider to host an event at their place of business, either inside or outside, nearby or at a pop-up event.

We've made it easy for you to partner with your local pharmacy, health department or federally qualified health center, and connect you with trained professionals eager to help you organize a vaccination event. DHHS staff will assist you in connecting with local vaccine partners who will bring vaccines and trained providers to your event. DHHS staff will also provide all educational resources and help you troubleshoot any issues that may come up. Email dhhs.minorityhealth@nebraska.gov with any questions.

Please make sure to take photos of posted materials and use the hashtag #Vax2Business at  DHHS.ne.gov, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn on social media.​

What vaccine(s) will be administered at my vaccine event?

The local health department or vaccine provider you are working with will use the vaccine types that are available to them. Vaccine types might differ throughout the state based on availability and ability of vaccine providers to store and transport different vaccines. Reaching out to your vaccine provider directly would provide you with the best answer for your specific situation.​

I've completed the application.  What's next?

Once you've completed the application and your organization has been selected, you will receive a simple contract to sign. After the contract is signed and returned, you and your employees will complete the training modules on your own (about 2 hours).  

What does the training involve?

The training will cover basic information about COVID-19 mitigation, vaccinations, frequently asked questions, countering misinformation, and provide practical tools for everyday conversations at your business. The training is mixed media and includes links to up-to-date information and recommendations. There are also videos embedded in the training and a short quiz at the end to check your understanding.

The training was developed with culturally tailored messages, and community based interventions developed from trusted resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO (World Health Organization), We > COVID conversation campaign, Health Action Alliance, Stronger: Join the Fight, the DHHS Office of Health Disparities and Health Equity and others.

​The goal of the training is to provide information regarding COVID-19 mitigation and vaccination.

How much time will the training take?

The training will last two (2) hours.  There are additional resources available to those that want to learn more and increase their knowledge. Other updated culturally and linguistically tailored resources are available under COVID-19 Information on the DHHS Office of Health Disparities and Health Equity website for your reference or use.

​If you have questions, email dhhs.minorityhealth@nebraska.gov.

I've completed the training.  What's next?

You will need to download and print out COVID-19 fliers and information so they are available at your business and event. You will also be able to post social media resources if you would like to use those on your social media platforms.  If you do not have access to a printer, please contact us at dhhs.minorityhealth@nebraska.gov​. 

​As you and your staff engage in conversations about COVID-19, keep track of common misinformation circulating, common concerns or hesitancies, and the number of people that were referred to a local provider to be vaccinated.  This information is required to be uploaded by the business so that payment can be made.  This information also assists DHHS in tracking the impact of the program.

How do I host a vaccine event?

We have made it easy and convenient to partner with your local pharmacy, local health department or federally qualified health center, connect you with a vaccine provider and provide access to trained professionals who are experienced and eager to organize a vaccination event. The DHHS Vax to Business team will assist in making connections to vaccine providers in your local area who will be able to provide vaccines for your event.

You will also have access to social media resources if you would like to post information on your social media platforms.

​If you need any assistance please email dhhs.minorityhealth@nebraska.gov.

What if I need materials in other languages or need other accommodations?

If you requested them in your application they will be provided to you via email. If not, you can make a request by emailing dhhs.minorityhealth@nebraska.gov.

I've already been talking to my clients about getting vaccinated and/or I've already held a vaccination event.  Can I get paid?

We are glad to hear you are already doing this important work in your community. You can only get paid if you complete an application, are selected, and complete all steps outlined in Funding and Activity Options.

I applied but didn't get selected.  Can I still participate?

Unfortunately, we have limited funds and need to prioritize populations that serve at-risk, vulnerable, and rural populations. However, you are still more than welcome to complete the training and/or connect with a local vaccine provider to host an event, without receiving grant funds.

I have other questions.  Who can I talk to?

Please email the team at dhhs.minorityhealth@nebraska.gov and someone will answer your question as soon as possible.

How does my business get paid?

Payment will be processed after all required information has been received by DHHS.  Payment will be based on the terms of the agreement.  Businesses​ can expect to receive payment about 3 or 4 weeks after DHHS approves payment.

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Office of Health Disparities & Health Equity
Division of Public Health, Office of Organization Strategic Advancement
Phone Number
(402) 471-0152
Fax Number
(402) 742-2342
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 95026              Lincoln, NE  68509-5026