News Flash

January 15, 2021

Linn County COVID-19 response partners held a briefing on January 13. View the recording here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information 

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

On January 12, Phase 1b priority populations were released by the state, and include individuals who are age 75 and over, as well as other high risk populations. The state has announced they plan to begin Phase 1b no later than February 1, 2020, with the timeline subject to change. Linn County is currently in the first phase of vaccine distribution, or Phase 1a. Vaccine supplies continue to arrive to our state and county very slowly. However, Linn County Public Health anticipates being on track to move with the state of Iowa to Phase 1b. If Iowa revises its distribution plan, Linn County Public Health will follow this guidance and provide information on how, when and where to receive a vaccination. 

We know individuals are eager to receive vaccine. Keep in mind this important information on vaccine for individuals: 

• At this time, healthcare providers do not have vaccine to give to their patients or other individuals. 
• There is no registry or list for individuals to sign up to receive vaccine at this time. 
• Healthcare providers will not be able to answer questions from patients on when they will get vaccine, as Linn County Public Health has not been provided vaccine timeline or shipment information to be able to share with local providers.
• Once Linn County begins Phase 1b, it may take weeks to months for the Phase 1b populations to receive vaccine. 

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, but anticipated to be on track with moving to Phase 1b with state of Iowa 
• 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: 
  • COVID-19 vaccine has been offered to more than 50% of healthcare personnel subgroups in Linn County. There are on estimated 20,000 to 30,000 healthcare personnel in Linn County. 
  • 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 ongoing. 
  • A report of COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered in Iowa by county is posted at https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/
    • 7,799 doses have been administered by Linn County providers, with 1,794 vaccine series complete by Linn County providers as of January 13, 2021
• Groups to be offered vaccine next: 
  • Phase 1b priority populations for Iowa were released on January 12, 2021, and are based on the recommendations put forward by IDAC and accepted by Kelly Garcia, IDPH interim Director. The recommendations for Iowa are slightly varied from CDC recommended groups for Phase 1b. The CDC has recommended priority populations for Phase 1c, however the IDAC has not made a recommendation for Phase 1c priority populations. 
  • Projected time to next phase: Unknown, but anticipated to be on track with moving to Phase 1b with state of Iowa

Phase 1a and 1b Employers

• Linn County Public Health has recently developed a tool for employers interested in COVID-19 vaccine for their employees. All employers in Phase 1a and 1b who would like to offer vaccine to their employees must complete the form if they have not already. Complete the form here. 

Vaccine FAQs

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

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: 2,117
• Total cases to date: 17,569
• Currently hospitalized: 22
• Total deaths: 250
• Total recovered: 15,202

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

Linn County Metrics 

• Test Positivity Rate*: 17.7%
  *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.