Editor’s note: The following release was sent from Muscatine County Public Health April 5.
Beginning April 5, all Iowans are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. You must be age 16 or older for the Pfizer brand vaccine. To receive the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines you must be 18 years or older. The vaccine is the best tool we have in our fight against the virus.
With eligibility expanded to all Iowans, vaccine supply will be lower than demand for several weeks. Local public health departments, doctor offices and pharmacies are working hard to vaccinate eligible Iowans as quickly as possible. Your patience during this time is appreciated. As vaccine supply increases, more appointments will be available and, eventually, every Iowan will be able to be vaccinated. The type of vaccine received at a local level is guided by the government. This means, at this time, you may not have the option to select a specific brand as each site may vary on the stock they can provide.
The Trinity Muscatine Public Health Department (TMPH) continues to receive and administer vaccines to the workforce and Muscatine County’s populations with the highest health risk factors. TMPH has received an increase in vaccine allocations this week and we anticipate this amount will continue from the federal and state government.
With this increase, TMPH will continue to allocate vaccine to all doctor offices in Muscatine County while delivering vaccines directly to the workforce and highest risk populations. Pharmacies within our county continue to receive an increase in vaccine allocations as well to serve all county residents interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
“It is a sign of relief and promise of hope to see so many vaccines entering our county,” said Trinity Muscatine County Public Health Director, Christy Roby Williams. “We do believe it will become easier for the public to obtain their COVID-19 vaccine, if interested. TMPH will be able to keep their focus on health equity and identifying ways to ensure all county residents who want the vaccine can receive it, despite any barriers or challenges that they may face.”
For information and updates related to COVID-19, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Vaccine and follow us on @TrinityMuscatinePublicHealth on Facebook.
