CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Friday, Iowa Department of Public Health officials clarified how they are prioritizing who receives the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 single dose vaccine. This is after our i9 investigation unit detailed complaints from local public health officials asking the state to give these doses to vulnerable populations. This includes homeless people, prisoners or immigrants.
The Linn County e-mail to the state cited equity in wanting more control over who gets the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. County health leaders say the 1-dose vaccine is best used for people who are less likely to attend a second visit. They may be people who do not speak English, live in temporary housing, inmates or homeless people.
While the state is allocating thousands of doses to counties for that purpose, 700 doses going to Linn County, it is also giving thousands more to colleges and manufacturing companies. Linn County Public Health argues that it is much easier to provide second doses for these groups.
The county specifically pointed to the 3,200 doses of Johnson and Johnson given to Collins Aerospace employees. The county argues that it would be easy to give these employees 2 doses at their internal health post. We contacted the company today to find out more about why its employees would need the option of one dose compared to two doses alone. They haven’t returned to us yet.
On Friday, Iowa Department of Public Health leaders clarified that their goal is to vaccinate people quickly. She wants college students to come home first – then to the team.
The state says Collins was part of the first wave of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. This targeted food processors and manufacturing facilities that cannot socially distance themselves.
At the same time, leaders with Willis Dady told us that they plan to work with Mercy employees to vaccinate people who are homeless in a few weeks using Johnson and Johnson doses.
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