(Des Moines, IA) -- Polk County Health officials are offering some reassurances to those concerned about getting the second dose of a COVID19-vaccine, in a timely manner. Health officials with the county say while supplies remain limited and demand is high, those who do not receive the second dose when scheduled will be okay, and they will not have to start over and get the first dose
Health officials say a delay will not compromise the effectiveness of your vaccination and individuals receive significant protection against the COVID-19 virus within 10 days of receiving the first dose.
Polk County Health:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval and a delay in vaccination is unavoidable, the second dose of Moderna vaccines may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. If the second dose is administered within the 42-day interval, there is no need to restart the series. There is currently limited data on efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines if the second dose is administered beyond this window.
Healthcare clinics and pharmacies will continue to vaccinate the community based on state and local public health guidelines. The Polk County Health Department clinic plans to focus on second doses and assisting our seniors 65 years and older who do not have a primary care physician and need our help. If you are eligible based on age, your primary care provider will notify you via phone, direct mail and/or through your health system website portal when you are eligible to call and schedule an appointment. At this time, please refrain from reaching out to the clinics as they will be contacting their eligible patients.