(Johnston)– Governor Kim Reynolds today (Wed.) gave an update on vaccinations in the state. She says 1.1 million Iowans are now fully vaccinated, or roughly 57 percent of the state’s population…
“More than 46 percent of those eligible for vaccine are fully vaccinated, ranking Iowa 13th among states nationwide, and more than 57 percent of those eligible have had atleast one dose, so that’s 18 years and up.”
As is the case in a number of other states, however, the Governor says Iowa is also seeing a significant decline in demand for the vaccine. Reynolds confirmed the state is among those who are requesting reduced shipments of it…
“In Iowa, 110,000 doses were offered to counties last week including nearly 22,000 doses that had been turned down the previous week. Of that total, more than 75,000 doses were declined. 54 counties declined their entire allocation. 34 declined a portion of their doses, and 11 counties accepted the full amount. Iowa now has nearly 79,000 vaccine doses that are banked with the CDC.”
Reynolds says most of that is now being distributed to states where demand for the vaccine is higher, however she says federal officials have assured the state future availability should demand once again increase in Iowa.
The Governor says a number of initiatives are being undertaken to try to promote vaccinations. She says they’re transitioning from mass clinics to pop-up sites at various events and attractions around the state. Reynolds says they will also be launching a multi language public service campaign.
