COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KMTV) — On Monday, Pottawattamie County Public Health (PCPH) said phase 1B of its COVID-19 vaccination efforts started. The phase change allows “individuals age 65 and older, first responders, teachers, childcare workers, food processing workers, and other defined agencies to get vaccinated."
Between 600-1,000 vaccines are expected weekly and an increase is expected in February. More than 30,000 residents qualify for phase 1B in the county.
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Some of the incoming vaccines are being set aside for certain groups of people PCPH said.
“Half of the weekly allotments will go to first responders, teachers, childcare workers, food processing workers, and other defined agencies. PCPH is working directly with these designated agencies. The other half of the weekly allotments will be distributed to pharmacies to be administered to individuals age 65 and older,” it said.
More about the phase change and registering for the vaccine from PCPH:
The State's Coronavirus website (coronavirus.iowa.gov [coronavirus.iowa.gov]) features a Vaccine Information tab. This page shows the number of vaccine doses administered in Iowa, as well as each county's vaccine provider information. Websites, contact information, and addresses listed are submitted by vaccine providers. To find vaccine providers in Pottawattamie County, simply click Pottawattamie County on the map of Iowa counties. This tool is intended to make provider information easily accessible to Iowans. Each provider manages their own vaccine appointments. It is important to call or visit a provider's website to ensure they are administering vaccines at this time and to schedule a vaccine appointment.
"With the number of residents that qualify for 1B, and the amount of vaccine coming into Pottawattamie County, I ask that everyone please be patient with us locally," said Matt Wyant with PCPH. "We have worked with all of the area providers and pharmacies on vaccine distribution, and we are prepared to administer doses. We just need the vaccine."
Pottawattamie County residents age 65 and older should contact their local pharmacy and/ or physician with questions or schedule a vaccine appointment.
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