Priority groups established by state for COVID-19 vaccinations

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues in Iowa, healthcare officials are still waiting for a clearer picture to pinpoint when different groups of people can receive their first doses.

Currently in Iowa, healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities are eligible to schedule and receive a vaccine. Those in the next priority groups are identified; however, a time frame has not been announced by the state for the next round of vaccination opportunities.

The Iowa Department of Public Health is following the CDC priority recommendations with the goal of consistently offering the vaccine to priority groups at the same time across each of the 99 counties. Only people in Phase 1a are currently eligible to be vaccinated.

The next priority group identified by the CDC based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices represents a large number of people. According to a release last week from Clay County Public Health, local officials are waiting for the state to give them the go-ahead to move forward with vaccinations for the second rollout phase.

Current CDC recommendations for Phase 1b and 1c are listed below:

Phase 1b Priority Group

• Frontline essential workers such as fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, United States Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector (teachers, support staff, and daycare workers.)

• People aged 75 years and older because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19. People aged 75 years and older who are also residents of long-term care facilities should be offered vaccination in Phase 1a.

Phase 1c Priority Group

• People aged 65-74 years because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19. People aged 65-74 years who are also residents of long-term care facilities should be offered vaccination in Phase 1a.

• People aged 16-64 years with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of serious, life-threatening complications from COVID-19.

• Other essential workers, such as people who work in transportation and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety, and public health.

As vaccine availability increases, vaccination recommendations will expand to include more groups and will become more widely available, with many pharmacies also offering immunizations.

Clay County Public Health, with assistance from Spencer Hospital, is planning community immunization clinics as larger population groups become eligible to be vaccinated. The clinics will be widely communicated to the public. Individuals will be scheduled vaccinations times to ensure an orderly process and to promote social distancing.