IOWA - The annual Iowa Public Health Conference this week is taking place as COVID-19 vaccines are picking up.
As of Tuesday morning, half of the state's residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine while about 20 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.
The Department of Public Health has led the state's response to the entire pandemic.
Its conference comes as many people are scrambling to set up vaccine appointments with anyone 16 and older now able to get vaccinated.
A website and a Twitter page have been set up by private citizens to help Iowan’s schedule appointments.
Only the Pfizer vaccine is available to people under the age of 18.
The Iowa Public Health Conference coincides with National Public Health Week, running now through Friday.
Kelly Garcia, IDPH interim director, said the state focus is on filling gaps in the health care system.
“What we will carry forward from this experience are partnerships we’ve forged and our commitment to addressing gaps in health and human service delivery,” said Garcia. “These gaps underscore the need for strategic investment in our systems that better ensures Iowans have equitable access to resources. I want to sincerely thank the public health workforce throughout the state who have worked tirelessly this past year to keep Iowans safe.”