State changes COVID-19 strategy

vaccine

Des Moines, Ia-  An administrator with the Iowa Department of Public Health says the state is changing its strategy for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine amid continuing decline of demand for the shots.

Department spokesman ken Sharp tells Radio Iowa that the department is now advising vaccine providers to prioritize vaccinating individuals over wasting doses, based on federal guidance.

“Waste has become more acceptable and, in fact, a necessity, so that we can ensure the ongoing progress in getting individuals vaccinated,” Sharp says.

He says the state accepted less than one-third of its vaccine allocation from the federal government this week, and that counties have largely stopped mass vaccination clinics.

Instead, they are transitioning to smaller clinics.  The state will also start offering the Pfizer vaccine to those between the ages of 12 and 17.