Phase 1C for COVID Vaccine in Iowa May Be Unnecessary

The Iowa Department of Public Health is offering hope that a "Phase 1C" of Coronavirus vaccine distribution may not be necessary.

Because of their limited supply, vaccines are currently being offered in "phases", prioritized by groups of people deemed at higher risk first. Currently, the state is in Phase 1B, which includes individuals 65 and over and frontline workers, including first responders, teachers and childcare staff, and individuals with underlying health conditions.

Phase 1C, which would start in mid-2021 and would include individuals 64 and under with underlying conditions and other essential workers, would come next, but it's possible enough vaccine would become available to accommodate more widespread distribution to the public in April or May. Kelly Garcia is the director of IDPH and says until we know how much more will be available, the current guidelines and phasing requirements must be in place. Garcia told KCCI:

We should start to see widespread distribution that can keep pace with demand by the end of April, the beginning of May, and we're going to hold onto that right now

Get our free mobile app

An April or May uptick on vaccine availability would seem like good news as the sooner we can get more shots in the arms of people in Iowa who need/want the vaccine, the closer to normal we can get.