Greene County public health has started a wait list for county residents who are in Phase 1B to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Phase 1B was modified by the Iowa Department of Public Health on Wednesday. Due to current and short-term projections of vaccine for Iowa, the recommendations for Phase 1B focus on those age 75 years or over, as well as other high-risk populations, including those most vulnerable to exposure to COVID-19, with a significant focus on equity.
At this time, administering the COVID-19 vaccine to populations identified in Phase 1B may start by the first of February and likely will take several weeks to complete. No one will be denied receiving the vaccine based on residency or citizenship, the IDPH stated.
The updated Phase 1b includes:
- Persons 75 years of older
- Individuals with disabilities living in home settings dependent on attendants for care, and their attendants
- Correctional facility staff and inmates
- Staff and individuals living in congregate settings (shelters, treatment centers, detention centers)
- Based on indications of an outbreak, individuals who work or live in congregate settings that do not allow for social distance (meatpacking or manufacturing production lines, or migrant workers who live in bunkroom-style housing)
- PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers who work with younger and at-risk children
- First responders (firefighters, law enforcement, dependent adult abuse and child welfare social workers)
- Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety (hospitals, long-term care settings, childcare and food production)
- Governmental officials and staff engaged in state business at the Iowa Capitol during legislative session
Persons who want to be on the wait list can call Greene County public health at 515-386-0564. Additionally, public health has rolled out a new dedicated email address: covid@gcmchealth.com
More details will be provided on where Phase 1B populations can receive their COVID-19 vaccines in Greene County.
In collaboration with multiple community vaccine providers, doses will be administered via primary care clinics, pharmacies and Greene County Medical Center occupational health.
In addition, mass vaccination clinics at local community locations will be offered by Public Health. Please watch local news media, social media outlets, and Iowa Moves Forward with Vaccination Campaign for more information.
