News Flash

January 8, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Information 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes vaccination recommendations for priority groups, including those for COVID-19 vaccines, based on input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The state of Iowa has also initiated the Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC) to provide additional clinical guidance for vaccine rollout. 

Linn County is currently in the first phase of vaccine distribution, or Phase 1a. LCPH has yet to be allocated enough first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be able to offer vaccine to all Phase 1a populations in Linn County. As anticipated, supplies of the vaccine are limited during this initial phase of vaccine distribution. Vaccine supplies are arriving in our state and county very slowly.  Linn County Public Health has been advised that the state of Iowa will complete Phase 1a vaccinations statewide prior to moving to a new phase and starting to vaccinate new populations. 

If Iowa revises its distribution plan or enters a new phase, Linn County Public Health will follow this guidance and provide information on how, when and where to receive a vaccination. Please sign up to receive COVID-19 Status Updates to stay apprised of vaccine rollout updates and other important information regarding COVID-19 response.

 Vaccine Distribution Highlights

• Current Phase: 1a 
• Projected time to next phase: Unknown
• Populations included within Phase 1a: 
  1. Residents and staff of long-term care facilities*
     * Nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities
  2. Healthcare personnel 
• Progress within Phase 1a: 
  • It is estimated there are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 healthcare personnel in Linn County. This includes licensed healthcare providers and additional health care workers that have direct patient interaction. 
  • On December 15, 2020, the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Linn County. Since that time, first and second dose vaccinations for each of the two-dose vaccines are ongoing, and vaccine allotted to Linn County has been administered or designated for a scheduled vaccination appointment for hospital staff, emergency medical services, primary health care, and dentist healthcare personnel. 
  • Most Linn County long-term care facilities are participating in the national Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program (PPLTCP). Vaccination of participating facilities began December 28, 2020 and is currently ongoing. 
• Groups to be offered vaccine next: 
  • The CDC has recommended groups to receive vaccine in Phase 1b and 1c. The Iowa Infectious Disease Advisory Council has not yet made a formal recommendation beyond Phase 1a.
  • Projected time to next phase: Unknown

Vaccine FAQs

• COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions are updated frequently.

Businesses

• Linn County Public Health has recently developed a tool for businesses interested in COVID-19 vaccine for their employees. Complete the form here. 

For questions about COVID-19 vaccine in Linn County:

• Visit www.linncounty.org/1494/COVID-19-Vaccine 
• Call 319-892-6097

 Linn County Case Count Data 

• Active cases: 2,079
• Total cases to date: 17,077
• Currently hospitalized: 28
• Total deaths: 246
• Total recovered: 14,752

Additional data on COVID-19 cases is available on Linn County’s case count dashboard.  

Linn County Metrics 

• Test Positivity Rate*: 17.6%
  *Percent of positive tests to date since beginning of pandemic
• Current Recommendation for Actions to Combat Increase in COVID-19: Tier 1 

Additional Linn County metrics are available on Linn County’s metrics dashboard.

For more COVID-19 information specific to Linn County, visit LinnCounty.org/COVID19.