(Johnston)– Governor Kim Reynolds today (Thurs.) gave an update on the status of COVID vaccinations in Iowa…
“The CDC is reporting that Iowa has administered a total of nearly 622,000 vaccine doses to eligible Iowans age 18 and up. 19.2 percent of all eligible Iowans have received at least one dose and 271,000 Iowans age 65 and up have had at least their first dose and that’s nearly 53 percent of all Iowans in this age group. And in just the last seven days, more than 83,000 Iowans have received the vaccine. Nearly 64,000 were first doses.”
Reynolds added the ongoing increase in doses being allocated to the state is allowing them to make some new projections when it comes to the vaccination process…
“Next week we project that nearly 70 percent of tier 1 populations will have received at least one dose of vaccine, and this includes our first responders, K-12 teachers and staff and childcare workers. And we estimate that 70 percent of Iowans age 65 and over will have received their first dose of vaccine by mid March. So this does allow us to plan ahead for the next eligible groups to start. Essential workers and individuals with disabilities living at home settings are expected to start vaccination in early March and achieve the 70 percent mark in early April. At that time we could again expand to the next eligible group.”
The Governor added progress will likely vary from county to county, based on population.
Reynolds also today (Thurs.) announced the state will be launching a vaccine informational website on Friday…
“Vaccinate.iowa.gov will provide information about eligibility resources available to assist Iowans and answers to frequently asked questions. It will also include a vaccine locator so you can find providers near you, click through to their websites to check availability and to get details about scheduling. But I want to be clear you can not schedule an appointment on this site or register to be contacted when scheduling is available, but it will connect you to a provider for scheduling in their system.”
The Governor added a special team, known as “vaccination navigators”, is being established through the state’s 211 call center to assist those 65 and over that don’t have computers in making appointments. She says they’ll begin reaching out to those folks who have registered with local public health officials beginning March 8th. She says those callers will NOT ask for insurance or other personal information.
