Statewide Iowa — An interactive map will be added to the state website with information about COVID-19, and Governor Kim Reynolds says it will show Iowans waiting to be vaccinated where they can schedule a shot.
(as said) “Iowans are asking many questions about the vaccination process,” Reynolds says, “but nothing is more important to them than knowing when enough vaccine will be available and how they’ll be able to get it.”
The governor says the map will be available later this week.
(as said) “So you will click on a county where you live or work and provider locations will be listed,” Reynolds says. “Then you’ll be able to simply click to connect to their website and schedule an appointment to get more information.”
State officials say they are considering ways to help Iowans who don’t have internet access or the skills to navigate the online system. The governor says the state’s allocation of first doses of vaccine is expected to increase by 63-hundred doses next week — for a total of nearly 26-thousand doses for Iowans OUTSIDE of nursing homes.
(as said) “Even with the 16% increase starting next week, the nation’s current vaccine supply simply cannot keep up with the incredibly high demand and I know that can be frustrating to hear,” Reynolds says. “I know Iowans are very eager to get vaccinated and finally put Covid-19 behind them. That time is coming, but we just need to remain patient.”
By the end of THIS week, all Iowa nursing home residents and staff who wanted a first dose will have received it, according to Reynolds.
(as said) “Even with the positive news, and that is (positive news), I just still want to remind Iowans that the vaccine supply will still remain limited for quite some time,” Reynolds says. “But despite that challenge, we are making good progress in our efforts to vaccinate as many Iowans as possible.”
Reynolds says any left-over doses from scheduled vaccinations are being reallocated to community pharmacies, so no doses are wasted.
Governor Reynolds and the network for rural Iowa pharmacies are urging Iowans to be patient as they wait to find out when they can get vaccinated. In many communities, pharmacies will be the place to get COVID shots, although the governor is planning to send at least six vaccination “strike teams” to manufacturing plants and other sites once more doses become available.
