UNI, IS TO BLAME FOR TONIGHT’S CONFUSION. STACEY: THANK YOU. STARTING MONDAY, THE STATE WILL ALLOW PEOPLE AGE 64 AND YOUNGER WITH CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITIONS TO RECEIVE A COVID-19 VACCINE. BUT THAT WON’T HAPPEN IN POLK COUNTY. KCCI’S LAUREN JOHNSON EXPLAINS WHY IT MAY BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE COUNTY MOVES INTO THAT NEXT TIER LAUREN: THAT’S RIGHT, STACEY. POLK COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO FACE SUPPLY SHORTAGES OF VACCINE. BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, THEY LOOK LIKE THEY WILL BE MOVING IN THE NEXT TIER SOON. ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR REYNOLDS EXPLAINED WHY THE STATE WILL SOON ALLOW MORE IOWANS TO GET VACCINATED. >> BECAUSE SOME COUNTIES ARE THROUGH THE FIRST TIER, WE’VE OPENED IT UP WHEN YOU’RE THROUGH THAT FOR 64 YEARS OF AGE AND DOWN, IF YOU HAVE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS SO THEY ARE NOW ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A VACCINE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. LAUREN: THAT WILL INCLUDE IOWANS AGE 64 AND YOUNGER WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING HEART CONDITIONS, OBESITY, CANCER AND DIABETES. BUT POLK COUNTY WON’T BE MOVING INTO THAT NEXT STAGE JUST YET BECAUSE OF VACCINE SHORTAGES. AS OF FRIDAY, A LITTLE MORE THAN 66% OF THIS CURRENT TIER HAS BEEN VACCINATED. THAT NUMBER NEEDS TO BE CLOSER TO 70% FOR THEM TO MOVE ON. >> WE STILL HAVE A POPULATIO WHERE DEMAND IS MUCH GREATER THAN SUPPLY, SO WE FEEL LIKE IT’S VERY VITAL TO STAY IN THE TIERS THAT WE ARE AND MAKE SURE THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE AT LEAST GETTING ONE DOSE. LAUREN: THE CURRENT TIER INCLUDES IOWANS 65 YEARS AND OLDER, FIRST RESPONDERS, SCHOOL STAFF, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND LONG TERM CARE FACILITY STAFF AND RESIDENTS. POLK COUNTY SAYS IT WILL KEEP EVALUATING VACCINATION PROGRESS. WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR PROVIDERS TO VACCINATE PEOPLE IN THE NEXT CATEGORY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS IT WILL HAVE TO TRUST PATIENTS WHEN THEY SAY THEY HAVE AN UNDERLYING CONDITION. THE HOPE IS SOMEONE WHO ISN’T ELIGIBLE FOR THIS TIER WON’T JUMP THE LINE. >> WE WOULD NEVER WANT TO DETER AN INDIVIDUAL THAT REALLY NEEDS A VACCINE, BUT WE ALSO WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE SMART DECISIONS. AND IF THEY DO NOT FALL UNDER THE TIER OF AN INDIVIDUAL OF AN UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION, WE WANT THEM TO BE HONEST AND MAKE SMART CHOICES. LAUREN: THAT’S RIGHT. THE POLK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS THAT PEOPLE AND POLK COUNTY DECIDED TO GET THEIR VACCINES HERE, ALSO PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THEIR COUNTIES, THAT IS WHER
After delay, Polk County expands vaccine eligibility
After a delay due a backlog of vaccinations in Polk County, health officials said Thursday that Iowans 64 years and under with underlying health conditions can begin to book appointments for COVID-19 vaccines starting March 15.Last week, The Polk County Health Department said it would not expand vaccine availability until at least 70% of the current tier are vaccinated, which includes individuals 65 years and older, first responders, school staff, early childhood education workers, child care workers and health care workers and individuals working and living at long-term care facilities. The state health department said counties could administer vaccines to those 64 years old and younger who have medical conditions that put them at risk on March 8.“The past two weeks we have seen an increase in our Pfizer allocation, which is incredibly beneficial as additional phases and tiers are opening throughout the state,” said Helen Eddy, Polk County Health Department director. “We’ve had additional conversations with our pharmacy partners, hospitals and clinics and we feel confident and ready to start opening vaccinations in Polk County to 64 years and under with underlying health conditions.” County officials said Phase 1B, Tier 2, eligibility will begin March 22. That tier includes: Farmworkers who work environment or shared short-term housing does not allow of adequate social distancing.Front-line workers employed in the manufacturing and distribution of critical goods necessary for survival whose work environment does not allow for social distancing.Individuals with disabilities living in home settings and their direct care staff.“At Polk County Health Department, we would never turn away community members who are in great need of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Eddy said. “However, we want the community to make smart and honest decisions and not take away COVID-19 vaccines from those with underlying health conditions.”Seniors and individuals 64 years and younger with underlying health conditions who do not have computer or internet access should call 515-323-5221. Individuals in Phase 1B, Tier 1, and those with internet and computer access should continue to monitor vaccine availability at www.vaccinate.iowa.gov.
After a delay due a backlog of vaccinations in Polk County, health officials said Thursday that Iowans 64 years and under with underlying health conditions can begin to book appointments for COVID-19 vaccines starting March 15.
Last week, The Polk County Health Department said it would not expand vaccine availability until at least 70% of the current tier are vaccinated, which includes individuals 65 years and older, first responders, school staff, early childhood education workers, child care workers and health care workers and individuals working and living at long-term care facilities. The state health department said counties could administer vaccines to those 64 years old and younger who have medical conditions that put them at risk on March 8.
“The past two weeks we have seen an increase in our Pfizer allocation, which is incredibly beneficial as additional phases and tiers are opening throughout the state,” said Helen Eddy, Polk County Health Department director. “We’ve had additional conversations with our pharmacy partners, hospitals and clinics and we feel confident and ready to start opening vaccinations in Polk County to 64 years and under with underlying health conditions.”
County officials said Phase 1B, Tier 2, eligibility will begin March 22.
That tier includes:
- Farmworkers who work environment or shared short-term housing does not allow of adequate social distancing.
- Front-line workers employed in the manufacturing and distribution of critical goods necessary for survival whose work environment does not allow for social distancing.
- Individuals with disabilities living in home settings and their direct care staff.
“At Polk County Health Department, we would never turn away community members who are in great need of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Eddy said. “However, we want the community to make smart and honest decisions and not take away COVID-19 vaccines from those with underlying health conditions.”
Seniors and individuals 64 years and younger with underlying health conditions who do not have computer or internet access should call 515-323-5221. Individuals in Phase 1B, Tier 1, and those with internet and computer access should continue to monitor vaccine availability at www.vaccinate.iowa.gov.