DES MOINES, Iowa - Governor Kim Reynolds says the state can vastly expand vaccinations with the approval of the Moderna vaccine for emergency use.
Reynolds released a statement last night after the FDA gave authorization, saying the state is now ready to move quickly to get vaccines out.
There were disputes between the federal government and the state last week over how many doses would be sent to Iowa.
Wednesday night the Iowa Department of Public Health claimed the federal government was not going to send the number of vaccines promised, saying there would be 30 percent fewer doses.
Thursday morning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said that statement was incorrect, specifying that shipments would be spread over several days.
By Thursday evening, the state concluded it would still receive 20 percent fewer vaccines this month than originally anticipated - down to 138,000 from 172,000.
Shipments of the Moderna doses are expected to arrive in Iowa next week. Department of Public Health interim Director, Kelly Garcia is scheduled to give an update on Iowa’s vaccine strategy and progress at the Governor’s press conference on Tuesday.
Read Governor Reynolds full statement below:
“Following FDA approval for the Moderna vaccine, the state of Iowa can vastly expand vaccinations for our hospital workers, long-term care residents, and move forward with additional priority groups and the general population.
“As with the Pfizer distribution, our state is ready to receive shipments and distribute them quickly. This represents another positive step forward but until the vaccine is widely available, we must continue to mitigate the virus by practicing public health measures so we can protect the most vulnerable and preserve hospital resources, while keeping Iowans healthy, our economy open and our kids in school.”