COVID-19 Waitlist Eligibility Expands

The Iowa Department of Public Health has expanded phase 1B eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to include individuals 64 years of age and younger with medical conditions that are or may be an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Other individuals currently eligible include health care workers, long-term care residents and staff, individuals 65 and older, first responders, schoolteachers and staff, child care workers, essential workers in food, agricultural, distribution and manufacturing sectors who live or work in non-social distanced settings, and individuals with disabilities living in home settings that are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff.

With the expanded eligibility, Henry County Public Health is creating a new process to put names on a waitlist. Beginning Monday, March 8, there will be a form to fill out online at HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid. For those who do not have access to the internet, the department will accept phone requests at 319-385-0779, but be aware that phone lines are busy and messages cannot be left at this time.

The Public Health Department will contact people to schedule an appointment when their names come up on the list. If you are already on the 65 and older waitlist you do not need to resubmit your name, the department will continue calling the names already on the list.

As always, this information is subject to change. Updates are posted at HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid and Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty.

Public Health asks you to remember that just because you are eligible, doesn't mean that there is enough vaccine for everyone. The county receives a limited amount of vaccine each week, so it is going to take some time before they are able to vaccinate everyone who puts their name on the list.

'We are working hard to vaccinate as many people as quickly as we can, and we ask for your continued patience,” said a spokesperson. 'This is going to be a slow process. Please keep practicing public health safety measures in the meantime.”