Story County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Update:
Next Phase Groups Announced by IDPH
Jan. 15, 2021
On Jan. 11, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) released a list of priority groups for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations.
This group, called 1B, now includes people 75 years of age and older. (See below for detailed list of 1B priority groups.)
1B vaccinations are expected to begin Feb. 1, though vaccine supplies will likely be limited.
In Story County, vaccinations for the 1A group, which includes healthcare workers and staff and residents of long-term care facilities, is nearly 80 percent complete. Funeral home directors and staff were recently added to the 1A group.
Vaccine for the 1B priority groups will be available from Story County Public Health, McFarland Clinic, area pharmacies and Story County Medical Center. Mary Greeley Medical Center is not administering vaccine for the general public.
Story County Public Health will send teams of nurses to area schools to administer the vaccine. A schedule for these visits has not yet been announced, though public health officials have met with school officials throughout the county to begin the planning.
As always, patience with this complex process is necessary and appreciated. In the meantime, it is still essential for everyone to continue to wear a mask, practice physical distancing and wash hands regularly.
1B Priority Groups
As announced by IDPH, the 1B priority groups for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations include persons aged 75 years or older, or the following populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness:
- Individuals with disabilities living in home settings who are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff, if not otherwise vaccinated under Phase 1A.
- 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.
- 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 who 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 who live in bunkroom style housing.
- 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 hospital and long-term care settings, child, and food production safety.
- Government officials, including staff, to ensure continuity of government, engaged in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session.
