IOWA - Half of Iowa's adult population could soon be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, as the total has reached 930-thousand as of Friday morning.

And the number of doses given to residents could soon double the number of flu shots delivered every year in the state.

The new totals have been reached despite the suspension of Johnson & Johnson vaccines over concerns about blood clots.

CBS News is reporting the government is leaning toward resuming use of the J & J doses with a warning about the clots.

A decision from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration is expected today.

Meanwhile, Iowa is showing more progress in battling the virus.

There is now only one long term care center experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, after the total reached 167 in December during a virus surge.

Iowa's positivity rate has also trended downward in recent days - from 5 percent to 4.3 percent over a 14-day average as of Friday morning.

Data from the New York Times shows the number of new cases in the state is down 9 percent over the last 14 days.

Numbers from the Times also show a national drop of 6 percent, reflecting a recent change after new cases were up as much as 15 percent just a few weeks ago.

Simon Conway

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