Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced at a Thursday morning press conference that it's time to move to the next phase of vaccinating Iowans against COVID-19.

Reynolds said that with Phase 1A well underway, it's time to begin on Phase 1B. She stated that beginning on Monday, February 1, Iowans age 65 or over will be among those that will be able to get the vaccine.

Here are the specifics on Phase 1B:

  • Beginning February 1, Iowans 65 and over (500,000 Iowans)
  • Tier 1: (Beginning in early February) First Responders, Pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade staff, and Early Childhood educators (130,000 Iowans)

Timelines for the four remaining tiers are dependent on vaccines available.

  • Tier 2: Frontline essential workers in food, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors who live or work in non-social distanced settings, along with individuals with disabilities in home settings. (600,000 Iowans)
  • Tier 3: Staff and individuals living in congregate settings not covered by previous Phase or Tier, as well as government officials. (13,000 Iowans)
  • Tier 4: Inspectors that are responsible for health, life, and safety (1,500 Iowans)
  •  Tier 5: Correctional facility staff and individuals incarcerated (13,000 Iowans)

Reynolds says that when Phase 1B is complete, half of Iowa's population will have had access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Reynolds announced that, as of today, Iowa ranks 46th out of the 50 states in vaccines received. According to Reynolds, Iowa is getting only about 19,500 vaccine doses per week. While noting that she hopes the number of vaccines will be increasing in the weeks ahead, Reynolds shared that Iowa is 15th when it comes to actually getting the vaccine into the arms of Iowans. According to World Population Review, Iowa ranks 32nd in population among the 50 states.

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