Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced a verbal commitment by the federal government to a sixteen percent increase in coronavirus doses sent to the state beginning next week during her Wednesday morning press conference. Iowa receives 19,500 doses each week and this increase means an additional 3,120 people can receive inoculations against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has already killed nearly 4,500 Iowans. This increase is in addition to the expected jump to 39,000 doses on February 8.
Immunization rollout remains slow due to constraints on vaccine supply. “We’re ready to go,” she said, putting blame for the slow rate of vaccination on the availability of doses. “Vaccine supply will remain limited for some time,” Reynolds said. Based on vaccination data provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the number of shots administered fell to its lowest level since initial reporting during the first half of January.
According to Reynolds, the expected February 8 increase in available doses does not come from expanded supply, but rather by redirection of vaccine assigned to CVS and Walgreens for the federal long term care staff and resident immunization program. Phase one of the initiative wraps up this week Reynolds said with a second phase of booster shots immediately following and then finally a third round to catch anyone missed during the first two passes.
Last week, immunization eligibility expanded to include Iowans sixty-five and older in addition to first responders, health and safety inspectors and corrections staff. UnityPoint Health emailed patients yesterday advising the healthcare provider will notify eligible individuals, “via phone, text or direct mail when you are able to schedule an appointment.”
Johnson & Johnson expects to apply for an Emergency Use Authorization to the Food and Drug Administration in February. This vaccine is a single dose coronavirus shot that will also aid in making inoculations more widely available.