Allamakee County Public Health offers information on COVID-19 vaccination locally

Allamakee County Public Health recognizes there is a lot of information regarding the new COVID-19 vaccine. To help explain the local process, Allamakee County Public Health officials offer the following clarifications:

• COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed in phases and County Public Health will adhere to guidelines and plans as provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
• The first allotment - called Phase 1A - will be prioritized for long-term care facilities and healthcare workers. Long-term care facility vaccinations are contracted through pharmacies, and most local healthcare workers will be vaccinated by Allamakee County Public Health.
• The vaccine is not yet available to the general public and local healthcare providers are not able to give it to their patients at this time.

“Please have patience as we navigate this process,” Allamakee County Public Health officials ask. “Public health will keep you updated with vaccine information via newspaper, radio and social media. As the vaccine distribution begins, it is still imperative that we continue to wash our hands frequently, wear face coverings in public and follow social distancing guidelines. Thank you for being socially responsible and thinking of others in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.”

Allamakee County Public Health officials say that the first vaccine to be used locally could be authorized and planned for distribution later this week.