(Des Moines, IA) -- Starting in February Iowans 65 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says that will account for a half million people in the state. The news is part of new details, released by the state about who will be eligible for the vaccine, after the initial doses, given health care workers and long term care residents.
The state has released details (tiers) of Phase 1-B, which includes teachers and first responders, front-line essential workers, staff in congregate settings, government workers, inspectors, and staff and residents in the corrections system.
Governor Kim Reynolds says while many Iowans will be eligible, vaccine supply remains extremely limited. She says Iowa ranks 46th in the nation among states in terms of vaccine allocation. Reynolds says she's been asking federal health officials about that and is enlisting the help of Iowa's Congressional delegation to work to increase allocation, given Iowa's large percentage of older residents. Reynolds says while allocation is lower than she'd like it to be, Iowa is doing a good job administering the vaccine doses that are being allocated as quickly as possible. The state ranks 15th in the nation in terms of giving doses to people.