Tag Archives: Polk COunty

Health

After delay, Polk County expands vaccine eligibility

Leave a comment

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.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

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.

Read original article here

Health

Thousands of additional Iowans now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Leave a comment

Thousands of additional Iowans now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine



ALXY: RIGHT NOW IN IOWA, THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID-19 SHOT. THE STATE STARTS ITS NEXT PHASE OF VACCINATIONS TODAY. BUT AS KCCI’S BEAU BOWMAN TELLS US NOT ALL COUNTIES SAY THEY’RE READY. BEAU: THAT IS RIGHT, AND POLK COUNTY IS ONE OF THEM. ELIGIBILITY IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE THE ISSUE AS IOWANS UNDER 64 YEARS OLD WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS CAN NOW GET THE SHOT, THE ISSUE NOW WILL BE SUPPLIED. LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WERE SAYING IT COULD BE WEEKS OR MONTHS BEFORE THEY CAN BE GIVING TO THE GROUP THAT BECOME ELIGIBLE TODAY THE POLK COUNTY . HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS IT WILL NOT BE OPENING UP ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY, BECAUSE IT STILL HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN PREVIOUS TIERS THAT NEED TO BE VACCINATED. >> WE STILL HAVE A POPULATION WHERE DEMAND IS MUCH GREAT 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 BEAU: HYVEE SAYS IT WILL OFFER THEIR VACCINES TO PEOPLE IN POLK COUNTY WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS THE COMPANY WAS GRANTED PERMISSION TO VACCINATED THE NEWEST ELIGIBLE GROUP BECAUSE IT RECEIVES ITS VACCINE SUPPLY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NOT THE COUNTY. LIVE IN ANKNEY, BEAU BOWMAN, KCCI 8 NEWS, IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. ALXY: IOWA’S 211 CALL CENTER IS EXPANDING ITS SERVICES, TO HELP MANAGE THE SURGE OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A VACCINE APPOINTMENT. STARTING TODAY, THE 211 WILL HAVE A NEW PROMPT, ASKING IF Y IF YOU NEED HELP WITH VACCINE SCHEDULING. THE SERVICE IS MEANT FOR PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER WHO DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS OR THE TECHNICAL SKILLS TO SCHEDULE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT ONLINE NEARLY 900,000 DOSES OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED IN IOWA SO FAR. 332,000 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THEIR FIRST SHOT, AND ARE WAITING ON THEIR SECOND. 280,000 ARE FULLY VACCINATED

Thousands of additional Iowans now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Thousands more Iowans are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The state starts its next phase of vaccinations Monday, but not all counties say they’re ready.Polk County is one of them. Eligibility is no longer going to be the issue as Iowans under 64 years old with pre-existing conditions can now get the shot, but vaccine supply is limited.Local health departments were running short of vaccines before Gov. Kim Reynolds announced this move into the next phase of the rollout.Some local health departments say it could be weeks or even months before they can start giving vaccines to the group that becomes eligible today. Nola Ainger Davis, with the Polk County Health Department, says it will not be opening up additional eligibility, because it still has many people in previous tiers that need to be vaccinated.”We still have a population 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.” Ainger Davis said.Hy-Vee says it will offer their vaccines to people in Polk County with underlying conditions. The company was granted permission to vaccinate the newest eligible group because it receives its vaccine supply from the federal government and not the county.Find out how you can get vaccinated in Iowa here.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Thousands more Iowans are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The state starts its next phase of vaccinations Monday, but not all counties say they’re ready.

Polk County is one of them. Eligibility is no longer going to be the issue as Iowans under 64 years old with pre-existing conditions can now get the shot, but vaccine supply is limited.

Local health departments were running short of vaccines before Gov. Kim Reynolds announced this move into the next phase of the rollout.

Some local health departments say it could be weeks or even months before they can start giving vaccines to the group that becomes eligible today.

Nola Ainger Davis, with the Polk County Health Department, says it will not be opening up additional eligibility, because it still has many people in previous tiers that need to be vaccinated.

“We still have a population 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.” Ainger Davis said.

Hy-Vee says it will offer their vaccines to people in Polk County with underlying conditions. The company was granted permission to vaccinate the newest eligible group because it receives its vaccine supply from the federal government and not the county.

Find out how you can get vaccinated in Iowa here.

Read original article here

Health

UnityPoint to vaccinate almost 3,000 Iowans over the weekend

Leave a comment

UnityPoint plans to vaccinate 3,000 people this weekend in their clinics across the metro — as they continue to work through Phase 1B of the rollout.Right now, UnityPoint is reserving their vaccine allocation mostly for their 43,000 clients that meet the age requirement of 65 years old — since they’re the ones most likely to suffer the worst symptoms if they were to catch the virus. At their location on University Avenue on Des Moines’ east side, they plan to give 640 shots this weekend, and 3,000 across all their metro clinics.”I was eager to get it done, I want to get it done and get my second one, and hopefully get on with my life,” Ona Lovell said just minutes after receiving her first dose. Lovell says she’s barely left her house at all over the last year out of fear of the pandemic — and couldn’t wait for the shot.”I feel fine, it was actually easier than getting the flu shot,” she said.UnityPoint is also working with eight school districts, 17 child care facilities and first responders in five Polk County cities to get their phase 1B employees vaccinated.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

UnityPoint plans to vaccinate 3,000 people this weekend in their clinics across the metro — as they continue to work through Phase 1B of the rollout.

Right now, UnityPoint is reserving their vaccine allocation mostly for their 43,000 clients that meet the age requirement of 65 years old — since they’re the ones most likely to suffer the worst symptoms if they were to catch the virus.

At their location on University Avenue on Des Moines’ east side, they plan to give 640 shots this weekend, and 3,000 across all their metro clinics.

“I was eager to get it done, I want to get it done and get my second one, and hopefully get on with my life,” Ona Lovell said just minutes after receiving her first dose.

Lovell says she’s barely left her house at all over the last year out of fear of the pandemic — and couldn’t wait for the shot.

“I feel fine, it was actually easier than getting the flu shot,” she said.

UnityPoint is also working with eight school districts, 17 child care facilities and first responders in five Polk County cities to get their phase 1B employees vaccinated.

Read original article here

Health

Polk County officials address shortage of COVID-19 vaccines

Leave a comment

Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly said county officials are frustrated by a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses and changing state recommendations on who should get the vaccine.“We are very frustrated because we have had many of the process and procedures in place to vaccinate a large number of people, but we simply don’t have enough vaccines and health department staff is working around the clock to administer the small amount of vaccine that we have,” Connolly said. “We were surprised when the recommendation was made to open availability to people 65 plus without an increase in supply and we weren’t ready. And I’m apologizing for this but make no mistake, we take care of our seniors.”Polk County will move into phase 1B of the vaccine rollout on Monday. This phase will allow those who are 65 or older, first responders, K through 12 staff, and child care workers to set an appointment to get vaccinated.The vaccine is allocated on a weekly basis. County officials said next week, the allocated amount of vaccine will be about 7,000 for Polk County. For reference, there are 61,000 Polk County residents over 65 years old. Add on top of that the other part of the population that is now eligible to be vaccinated and it’s obvious this part of the rollout could take some time.Polk County Health Director Helen Eddy asked the public to be patient.“We are asking the public to be patient. At this time, the demand for the COVID-19 vaccine far exceeds our supply. Appointments are based upon available vaccine supply. They do not make appointments without having a shot attached to them,” Eddy said. “This process will take some time, but we will not stop until everyone who wishes to be vaccinated.”Eddy said what is currently limiting vaccination capacity is the short supply of vaccines, not the number of local vaccine providers.Eddy had further advice for those waiting for their turn to get the vaccine.“Health care clinics will start vaccinating patients based upon state and local public health guidelines. If you are eligible, based on your age, your primary care doctor will start notifying you via phone, direct mail and or through your health system website portal,” Eddy said.Eddy said the health department is fielding many questions about second vaccine doses.“I also want to address second doses. We’re getting many questions about those. You may go anywhere a vaccine is available to receive your second vaccination at the Polk County Health Department. You will be notified the week before your second dose is due,” Eddy said.Connolly said starting Monday, the Polk County Health Department will have a call center open during regular business hours to take phone calls from the seniors who need help, making an appointment for the vaccine to navigate the website, or they don’t have a computer. The number of procedures to use if they need help scheduling is 323-5221.“Please continue to use call 211 for answers to the general COVID questions, and this call center is reserved for mainly seniors who need help making their appointments, nurses will help them,” Connolly said.Polk County officials address shortage of COVID-19 vaccines

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly said county officials are frustrated by a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses and changing state recommendations on who should get the vaccine.

“We are very frustrated because we have had many of the process and procedures in place to vaccinate a large number of people, but we simply don’t have enough vaccines and health department staff is working around the clock to administer the small amount of vaccine that we have,” Connolly said. “We were surprised when the recommendation was made to open availability to people 65 plus without an increase in supply and we weren’t ready. And I’m apologizing for this but make no mistake, we take care of our seniors.”

Polk County will move into phase 1B of the vaccine rollout on Monday. This phase will allow those who are 65 or older, first responders, K through 12 staff, and child care workers to set an appointment to get vaccinated.

The vaccine is allocated on a weekly basis. County officials said next week, the allocated amount of vaccine will be about 7,000 for Polk County. For reference, there are 61,000 Polk County residents over 65 years old. Add on top of that the other part of the population that is now eligible to be vaccinated and it’s obvious this part of the rollout could take some time.

Polk County Health Director Helen Eddy asked the public to be patient.

“We are asking the public to be patient. At this time, the demand for the COVID-19 vaccine far exceeds our supply. Appointments are based upon available vaccine supply. They do not make appointments without having a shot attached to them,” Eddy said. “This process will take some time, but we will not stop until everyone who wishes to be vaccinated.”

Eddy said what is currently limiting vaccination capacity is the short supply of vaccines, not the number of local vaccine providers.

Eddy had further advice for those waiting for their turn to get the vaccine.

“Health care clinics will start vaccinating patients based upon state and local public health guidelines. If you are eligible, based on your age, your primary care doctor will start notifying you via phone, direct mail and or through your health system website portal,” Eddy said.

Eddy said the health department is fielding many questions about second vaccine doses.

“I also want to address second doses. We’re getting many questions about those. You may go anywhere a vaccine is available to receive your second vaccination at the Polk County Health Department. You will be notified the week before your second dose is due,” Eddy said.

Connolly said starting Monday, the Polk County Health Department will have a call center open during regular business hours to take phone calls from the seniors who need help, making an appointment for the vaccine to navigate the website, or they don’t have a computer. The number of procedures to use if they need help scheduling is 323-5221.

“Please continue to use call 211 for answers to the general COVID questions, and this call center is reserved for mainly seniors who need help making their appointments, nurses will help them,” Connolly said.

Polk County officials address shortage of COVID-19 vaccines

Read original article here