The Dallas County Public Health Department issued the following statement Tuesday on its method for administering the COVID-19 vaccine in Dallas County:
At this time the Dallas County Health Department is only vaccinating phase 1-A healthcare workers and long-term care residents for COVID-19. We have received many questions regarding the 65 and older population due to recent national news stories. Our vaccine strategy remains consistent with the state of Iowa, and we will enter new phases of vaccine distribution at the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).
The COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in phases in Iowa, beginning with phase 1a: healthcare workers and long-term care residents. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Iowa Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC) provide guidance on who is included and when Iowa will enter the next phases.
Details on the phase 1-A guidance can be found on the IDPH website.
The IDAC released the priority populations for phase 1-B Tuesday. The information is intended for planning purposes. Dallas County is not moving into phase 1-B at this time.
According to IDAC guidance, phase 1-B of vaccine distribution will include:
- Persons aged 75 years and older
- Individuals with disabilities living in home settings who are depended on attendant care staff and their attendant care staff
- Correctional facility staff and incarcerated individuals
- Staff of and individuals living in congregate settings (not including college dormitories)
- Food, agriculture, distribution and manufacturing workers who work in or live in congregate settings that do not allow for social distancing
- PK-12 school staff, early childhood education and childcare workers
- First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers and dependent adult abuse and child welfare social workers)
- Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety, including those in hospitals and long-term care settings, child and food production safety
- Government officials, including staff engaged in state business at the Iowa Capital during the legislative session
