Earlier this week the Iowa Infectious Disease Advisory Council released the priority populations and recommendations for phase 1-B of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Officials with Grundy County Public Health said they are still working to complete Phase 1-A vaccinations and that they do not have a timeline as to when Grundy County will move into Phase 1-B.

Those individuals who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine and fall within the 1-A or 1-B populations are encouraged to contact either Reinbeck Pharmacy, Manly Drugstore in Grundy Center or NuCara Pharmacy in Conrad to be placed on a list.

IIDAC PHASE 1-B PRIORITY POPULATIONS

Persons aged > 75years, OR the following populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness:

–Individuals with disabilities living in home settings whom are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff, if not otherwise vaccinated under Phase 1-A.

–Correctional facility staff and individuals incarcerated, including state and city or county operated facilities.

–Staff of and individuals living in congregate settings, not covered by the first two bullets, including shelters, sober living homes, behavioral health treatment centers, and detention centers. College dormitories shall not be included as part of Phase 1B.

–Where public health data indicates outbreaks or clusters of disease among food, agriculture, distribution and manufacturing workers whom work in or live in congregate settings that do not allow for social distancing. For example, working in a meatpacking or manufacturing production line or migrant workers whom live in bunkroom style housing.

–PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers. Sub-prioritization should consider persons who work with younger and at-risk children in care, to better ensure child-wellbeing and mitigate impact to parent workforce.

–First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and dependent adult abuse and child welfare social workers).

Vaccine allocation strategy for Phase 1b, while a vaccine shortage exists:

–50% of the vaccine allocation shall be dedicated to priority age populations and individuals of all ages with co-morbidities.

–50% of the vaccine allocation shall be dedicated to the populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness.

–Allocations shall be monitored and adjusted to ensure efficient and timely use of available vaccine doses.

For more information visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/IDAC.