March 5, 2021
The purpose of this news brief is to provide updated information regarding the current status of COVID-19 vaccine for Black Hawk County. Please visit the Black Hawk County COVID-19 Vaccine website for updated information.
Vaccination is a critical tool in bringing this unprecedented pandemic to an end.
Getting vaccinated with the first vaccine available to you can help protect you from COVID-19.
Vaccine allocations in Black Hawk County
With the approval of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and availability of vaccine through the , vaccine available in our community continues to increase! This is welcome good news, the demand for vaccine is still far greater than the current supply.
Black Hawk County Health Department (BHCHD) received 2,800 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine this week in addition to the 2,340 prime Pfizer doses.
Who is now being vaccinated in Black Hawk County?
Currently,the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is targeted for organizations with employees working or living in congregate settings where they are unable to social distance.
The Pfizer doses continue to be allocated through MercyOne, Peoples Community Health Clinic and UnityPoint Health to vaccinate persons aged 65 and older along with the remaining 1A providers, preschool through 12th grade school staff, (new for next week!) child care workers and employees working or livingin congregate settings where they are not able to social distance. As of March 4th, 62.4% of Black Hawk County residents aged 65 and over have been vaccinated.
If you are a person aged 65 or over and have no affiliation with a health care provider, please call the Black Hawk County Health Department 319-292-2360 for more information.
Please remember that appointments are not available through individual offices or on a walk-in basis.
When you receive your first dose, please follow your provider’s instructions about scheduling for your second; it’s important because boost doses are automatically sent to the same provider.
When is it my turn?
The Black Hawk County Health Department continues to work with its health care systems and pharmacies to allocate vaccine for the remaining 1B phases.
Starting on Monday, March 8th, eligibility is expanded to include Iowans with medical conditions that are or may be at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. We ask that individuals falling into this category be patient as the availability and planning to administer vaccine for this population continues to evolve.
Please see the new Vaccinate Iowa website for links to vaccine providers by location, eligibility timelines and resources for persons age 65 and over.
The State has informed all vaccine providers to expect variance in future supply levels of each type of vaccine through March with production ramping up to provide a vaccine for all Iowans.
COVID-19 Vaccine News
Beginning Tuesday, March 9th, persons age 65 and older with technology barriers, may call 211 for assistance from a team of vaccine navigators to schedule appointments.
The Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging is also available to assist with questions about navigating online registration portals but they cannot complete the online registration. Please call 800-779-8707 or visit their website.