Northwest Iowans Continue To Receive COVID Vaccine

Northwest Iowa — While vaccine supplies are still low, COVID-19 vaccinations continue in northwest Iowa.

Public Health officials tell us that right now, COVID-19 vaccines are available only for Phase 1A and Phase 1B priority populations. Most of Phase 1A has received the vaccine in Iowa. Because of the limited supply, not everyone in Phase 1B is able to get vaccinated right away. To help balance vaccine supply with the Phase 1B demands, the Iowa Department of Public Health has implemented a tiered prioritization.

Phase 1A is medical personnel. Phase 1B is those over the age of 65 and five more tiers of individuals. Tier 1 includes first responders, teachers, childcare workers, etc. Tier 2 is essential workers like manufacturing workers, especially those living in congregate settings, and individuals with disabilities in home settings and their direct care staff. Tier 3 is staff and individuals living in congregate settings, as well as government officials. Tier 4 is hospital, long-term care, and child safety inspectors. Tier 5 is correctional facility staff and people who are incarcerated.

Most counties are only vaccinating Phase 1A recipients and Phase 1B recipients in Tier 1. However, we have received word that isolated members of Tier 2 are starting to receive the vaccine.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says 70 percent of Phase 1B Tier 1 Iowa populations (except older Iowans) have received one dose. Older Iowans — 70 percent of those over 65 are projected to have received one dose by Mid-March. It’s projected that essential workers such as food processing and manufacturing workers, as well as individuals with disabilities, should start receiving vaccine early this month, but it could differ by county and by available supply.

In our area, as of midday Thursday, March 4th:

1171 first doses have been administered in Lyon County. 10.0 percent of the Lyon County population has received their first dose. Four-tenths of those have received their second and final dose as well.
3092 first doses have been administered in Sioux County 8.9 percent of the Sioux County population has received their first dose. About two-thirds of those have received their second and final dose as well.
1651 first doses have been administered in O’Brien County. 11.9 percent of the O’Brien County population has received their first dose. Seven-tenths of those have received their second and final dose as well.
842 first doses have been administered in Osceola County 13.9 percent of the Osceola County population has received their first dose. A little more than a quarter of those have received their second and final dose as well.

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