Shelby County Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Following the Emergency Use Authorization of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is partnering with county public health departments to begin vaccinating Iowans. Both vaccines are currently being administered in Iowa to the Phase 1A priority populations of healthcare personnel and long-term care residents and staff.

Myrtue Medical Center’s Public Health is working with facilities in our county to allocate vaccine doses to the Phase 1A priority populations. All 400 doses allocated to Shelby County thus far will be administered by Wednesday, January 6th to healthcare personnel in the county.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the county are working with the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care (LTC) Program to receive COVID-19 vaccine for their residents and staff. Elm Crest Nursing Home will be the first facility in Shelby County to begin receiving their first dose of vaccinations on Friday, January 8th. It is anticipated that all LTC facility staff and residents will receive their first dose of vaccine by the end of January.

As more vaccines become available, Iowa’s Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC), will review data and priority group recommendations issued by the CDC’s advisory group, the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP), to further prioritize populations to receive the vaccine in Iowa. IDAC is currently reviewing ACIP recommendations for Phase 1B priority groups. “Once we have the final Phase 1B prioritization guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health, we will begin reaching out to those in this priority group in order to administer vaccine as soon as it is received,” said County Public Health Director Lori Hoch. “We will also communicate vaccine availability through radio, newspaper, and Myrtue Medical Center’s website and Facebook page.”

Myrtue Medical Center’s Public Health will continue to provide updates for other priority populations as it receives additional information from IDPH and allocations of vaccine. “Until there is sufficient vaccine supply, we will continue to follow priority group guidance for allocation of vaccine. It is anticipated that by mid-2021, there should be enough vaccine for anyone who wants to receive it,” said Hoch.

Until vaccine is widely available to all, it is critical that Iowans continue to practice the mitigation measures that can slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• Wearing a mask or face covering
• Practice social distancing with those outside your household
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
• Stay home if you feel sick

For information and updates related to COVID-19, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Vaccine and follow IDPH on Facebook (@IowaDepartmentofPublicHealth) and Twitter (@IAPublicHealth).