Health department installs four ‘HealthToGo’ vending machines across Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department has installed four HealthToGo vending machines across the city.
Officials said the new vending machines offer free health, hygiene, and safety supplies.
Lincolnites can find the machines at the following locations:
- Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 3131 O Street
- F Street Community Center, 1225 F Street
- Union Plaza, southeast corner of 21st and P streets
- Carriage Park Parking Garage, 1128 L Street – northeast corner of 11th and L streets, ground level next to the bike racks
The health department is hand-selecting a range of products stocked in the vending machine based on community needs.
Items currently available include:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Condoms
- Pregnancy tests
- At-home HIV tests
- Emergency contraception
- Naloxone (Narcan) – medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose
“The HealthToGo vending machines are an option for residents to access health supplies they may need at no cost,” said Kerry Kernen, Health Director. “HealthToGo is easy to use and available any time. Each product includes educational information or a QR code linking to additional resources and options for follow-up testing or care.”
When residents use the vending machines, demographic information — such as ZIP code, age, and race — is collected.
HealthToGo does not ask for identification or personal health information.
A $75,000 grant funded the vending machines through the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Lincoln Hygiene Network, Community Health Endowment, Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln, and Women’s Fund of Omaha provided resources and items for the machines.
Health officials will announce the location of a fifth machine soon. For more information, visit the health department’s website.
