BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa (KWWL) – The Iowa Department of Public Health is not requiring proof of the underlying health conditions of Iowa residents who want the COVID-19 vaccine.
Those under the age of 65 with underlying health problems are now eligible to receive the vaccine. State and local leaders trust residents to be truthful when making an appointment.
Some of these pre-existing diseases include smoking and heart problems, which are very difficult to see with the naked eye. At the time of this writing, you do not need to prove that you are eligible to obtain the photo.
“We don’t demand anything, and that’s just the guideline we received,” said Greenwood Pharmacy pharmacist and operations manager Joe Greenwood.
The IPDH, pharmacies and county health departments rely only on the honor system.
We hope that the Iowa will be true in its attestation to having one of the conditions described by the CDC that would put them at greater risk of contracting disease as a result of the COVID-19 virus. We know that most Iowans will do the right thing and will wait until they are eligible. Requiring additional documentation or instituting a referral process would hinder and slow the process and progress we are making in Iowa considerably.
Iowa Department of Public Health Statement
“There is a reason why different groups were appointed before others and we ask people to follow this,” said Jared Parmater, manager of environmental health for Black Hawk County.
County health officials across the state are asking healthy people who are not part of eligible groups not to rush. Those who decide to do this can affect the health of others who may need the vaccine.
“They increased the chances of having a serious infection, or of having a longer infection, or of not being able to fight the infection,” said Greenwood.
The main problem remains the limited supply of vaccine doses that reach counties and the state. The providers expect 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 providers across the state. The pharmacists there say that production has increased and they should see an increase.
“The vaccine will be available to everyone. We will have an increase in supply,” said Greenwood.
Those 65 and older and other groups that fall into Phase 1B are still receiving vaccines. County health officials are asking for patience and cooperation from the public.
On Thursday, Biden announced that he is instructing states to make all American adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1. Reynolds says it is possible that Iowa will exceed that deadline if vaccine supply continues to increase as projected.