New Twitter Page Helps Iowans Find COVID-19 Shots

IOWA CITY, Iowa - There's a new Twitter option for Iowans to find COVID-19 vaccines.

The @IAVaccineAlerts page lists new appointments across the state at Hy-Vee, CVS and Walgreens pharmacies.

The developer says followers should turn on alerts for the page because appointments could be gone quickly.

The page was launched Wednesday and has more than 6,600 followers as of early Friday Morning.

Iowa City web developer Brian Finley created the new Twitter page. He told KCRG-TV that he moved forward after finding out firsthand the difficulty in setting up an appointment.

“I was eligible and several of my close family were, and I think I had the same experience a lot of other people did as far as just being frustrated. Constantly refreshing or trying to find a vaccine appointment,” said Finley.

The number of people looking for COVID-19 vaccinations has skyrocketed since the state expanded doses to all adults with underlying health conditions Monday.

A state website locates vaccine providers close by, but most users say they're on long waiting lists.

Findley told KCRG he's hearing from people who located vaccines through his Twitter page.

“It’s just been a flood of people thanking me, I’ve had people say that they’re in tears having gotten vaccine appointments for loved ones and family members,” Finley told KCRG. “Knowing that I had the ability to do this kind of thing, I would have almost felt guilty not putting it out there. Just because everybody-most people- want the vaccine, and there’s really no downside to everybody getting the vaccine."

(Image from @IAVaccineAlerts Twitter page)


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