News

Public Health News_03122021

COVID-19

Public Health News

 

March 12, 2021

 

The purpose of this newsbrief is to provide 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.

 

Iowa has administered its one-millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine today!

Click here for a release from Iowa Department of Public Health re: the one-millionth dose.
Click here for the COVID-19 In Iowa dashboard that breaks down vaccine distribution.

 

 Vaccine allocations in Black Hawk County

Vaccine availability in our community and across the nation continues to increase. President Biden noted in his prime time address on March 11, 2021 that all Americans will be eligible for vaccinations by May 1, 2021.

 

Black Hawk County Health Department (BHCHD) received 200 prime doses of Moderna and 2,340 prime Pfizer doses. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) expects allocations of Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson to increase and stabilize by the end of March with more increases in April. IDPH is awaiting information on Moderna allocations.

 

 

Who is now being vaccinated in BlackHawk County?

The Pfizer and Moderna doses were allocated to MercyOne, Peoples Community Health Clinic and UnityPoint Health to vaccinate persons aged 65 and older, persons 16-64 with medical conditions that are or may be at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 along with a focus on child care staff and essential employees that work in environments where social distancing is difficult including food processing, agricultural production, distribution and manufacturing. Employers will inform employees who qualify to receive a vaccine in this tier.

 

As of March 11, 71% of Black Hawk County residents aged 65 and over have been vaccinated.

 

 

COVID-19 Vaccine News

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.

 

Please see the new Vaccinate Iowa website for links to vaccine providers by location, eligibility timelines and resources for persons age 65 and over.

 

Please see the Black Hawk County COVID-19 Response website for informational videos in multiple languages as well as from local healthcare experts.

 

 

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.