BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa (KWWL) – The Iowa Department of Public Health does not require any evidence of underlying health conditions of Iowans who want the COVID-19 vaccine.
Those under 65 with underlying health conditions now qualify to receive the vaccine. State and local leaders rely on residents to be honest when making an appointment.
Some of the existing conditions include smoking and heart problems, which are difficult to see with the naked eye. By writing this you do not have to prove that you are eligible to get the chance.
“We did not need anything, and that’s just the assignment we received,” said Greenwood Pharmacy’s pharmacist and operations manager, Joe Greenwood.
IPDH, pharmacies and health departments rely only on the honor system.
We rely on Iowans to be true in their testimony that they have one of the conditions set forth by the CDC, which will put them at greater risk for diseases due to the COVID-19 virus. We know most Iowans will do the right thing and wait until they are eligible. If you require additional documentation or set up a referral process, it may hinder and delay the process and progress we make in Iowa.
Iowa State Department of Public Health Statement
“There’s a reason why different groups have been named before others, and we’re asking people to stick to that,” said Jared Parmater, Black Hawk County Environmental Health Manager.
Provincial health officials across the state are appealing to healthy people who are not part of the eligible group not to catch up. Those who choose to do so can affect the health of others who need the vaccine.
“They have a better chance of having a serious infection, or having a longer infection, or not being able to fight the infection at all,” Greenwood said.
The main problem is still the limited supply of vaccine doses coming in provinces and the state. Suppliers are hoping to get an increase for the tens of thousands who are now eligible.
Greenwood Pharmacy expects to receive more doses each week from the end of March and expects the same for suppliers across the state. Pharmacists there say that production has risen, and that they should see an increase.
“The vaccine will be available to everyone. We have a bigger offer,” Greenwood said.
Those who are 65 years and older, and other groups who fall into phase 1B, still receive vaccinations. Official health officials are asking for patience and cooperation from the public.
On Thursday, Biden announced that he was instructing countries to qualify for all vaccines by May 1. Reynolds says it is possible that Iowa will pass the deadline if the supply of vaccines continues to increase as projected.