COVID–19 Vaccine Update: Phase 1B Opens Today in Iowa
February 1, 2021
Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination will begin Monday, February 1 in Iowa. This phase includes persons 65 and older and specific populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness. However, due to limited vaccine supply, certain populations within Phase 1B will be given priority. Linn and Johnson Counties have both released information regarding their Phase 1B roll-out.
Linn County’s most recent statement indicates that:
Vaccine remains in short supply, and not everyone in Phase 1B will be able to get vaccine right away. It may take weeks to months for the Phase 1B populations to receive vaccine. Linn County Public Health will designate 50% of the county vaccine allotment to persons 65 and older and the remaining 50% to populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness, beginning with identified Tier 1 populations.
Johnson County’s most recent statement indicates that:
[Johnson County Public Health] will inform the public when and where they can go to receive their vaccine. There is no sign-up list for individuals. Instructions on how to access the vaccine will be issued to the public as soon as plans are finalized with healthcare and pharmacy partners.
Linn and Johnson Counties have both advised residents that as the vaccine becomes available, health care providers will be contacting their patients by phone, email, or text to set up appointments for vaccination. Both Linn and Johnson Counties have asked residents to not call their healthcare providers or pharmacies directly to request the vaccine due to the volume of calls that will create and have indicated that patients should not walk-in to clinics to request the vaccine. Residents are encouraged to check their healthcare provider’s website for additional information and instructions for scheduling an appointment.
For additional information and COVID-19 status updates in Linn County, check https://www.linncounty.org/1494/COVID-19-Vaccine, as well as Facebook and Twitter. For additional information and COVID-19 status updates in Johnson Count, check https://coronavirus-johnsoncounty.hub.arcgis.com/ and https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/dept_health.aspx?id=28863, as well as JCPH social media channels, community partners, and local news media.
Shuttleworth & Ingersoll will continue to monitor the vaccine roll-out and notify clients of updates and changes as they happen. Please contact any of our employment attorneys if you need additional guidance regarding this update or COVID-19 in general.
Stay tuned for answers to “COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions” later this week!
Sara G. Sidwell is an Attorney with Shuttleworth & Ingersoll. Sara’s practice focuses on employment and labor law and is based out of the Coralville office. She has practiced employment law for over fifteen years, both in-house and in private practice, and has extensive experience counseling both large and small employers on all aspects of employment law. These areas include discrimination and harassment, disability management, workforce reductions or restructuring, employment contracts, wage and hour compliance, background checks and FCRA compliance, performance management, noncompetition agreements and claims, commission agreements and claims, safety issues, workers’ compensation, and whistleblower claims.