Nearly 100 percent of long-term care facilities in Iowa are expected to have started at least the first round of coronavirus vaccinations for residents and staff by the end of the week. Gov. Kim Reynolds provided details on the state’s ongoing vaccination efforts during her press conference this (Wednesday) morning. According to Reynolds, every metric the state uses to monitor the pandemic, including positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths, are continuing the downward trend seen since early December. More than 200,000 shots have already been administered statewide, and state officials are anticipating increased availability in the near future.
She adds vaccine demand will far exceed supply for quite some time and encourages Iowans to be patient. Fortunately, Reynolds says health care providers throughout the state are prepared to administer shots as soon as they are available, including local pharmacies.
While the personnel and infrastructure are in place to expedite vaccine rollout, two questions still remain for many Iowans: when are they eligible to be vaccinated and how do they sign up? Reynolds says the state’s coronavirus dashboard is getting an update to provide details of the state’s vaccine rollout.
The state’s dashboard is available online at coronavirus.iowa.gov. Phase 1B of vaccinations, which includes Iowans 65 and older, first responders, school staff, residents in congregate living settings and other similar individuals, is slated to begin in February.
