Health and Fitness : Benton County Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

Benton County Public Health (BCPH) has received an allocation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for persons in Phase 1-A. This phase includes individuals working in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. Qualifying individuals in this phase and future phases are determined by Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the federal level and Iowa Disease Advisory Council (IDAC) at the state level. See https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/IDAC for more details.

BCPH is working with the following entities to administer vaccine: Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics, primary care provider offices in Benton County, and pharmacies. All of these locations have been approved as COVID-19 vaccine providers. If you are actively working in healthcare and you feel you would qualify in Phase 1-A please contact BCPH at 319-472-6360 for more information. Please note, we cannot guarantee availability of the vaccine as it is in limited supply at this time. COVID-19 Vaccine cannot be provided to individuals who don't qualify for Phase 1-A.

Iowa Infectious Disease Advisory Council is currently working on setting up guidance for Phase 1-B at this time. Iowa Department of Public Health will determine when vaccine administration can move into this phase. BCPH will share more information as we receive it. Please continue to take precautions to protect yourself and others from the COVID-19 virus, including: wearing a mask, staying at home when ill, avoiding large gatherings, maintaining six-foot distance from others not in your household, and washing your hands.

If you have not already received an annual flu vaccine, please contact us. We have not seen the peak of the flu season, so it is not too late. Also, you would need to receive any vaccine either two weeks prior or after getting a COVID-19 vaccine so don't delay. Benton County Public Health has free flu vaccines available to anyone who is 18 years and older. Contact our office for more information at 319-472-6360.