CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Law enforcement agencies are part of the first tier in Iowa’s current vaccination phase.
Linn County sheriff Brian Gardner said his department has not yet started vaccinating employees, he also said that less than half of them are interested in getting it.
Gardner said he does not necessarily consider this percentage to be low, but average when compared to other law enforcement officials or brokers. However, it is less than what he expected.
Gardner said he surveyed the team to see who would be ready and willing to receive a vaccine and also offered information from state and local public health departments on how to obtain the vaccine. He said that they will not require employees to get the vaccine, but he hopes that as they get more information about the distribution, more employees will be able to get vaccinated.
As to why less than 50% of employees surveyed want to have the chance, he is not sure.
“I think at least for me and my family, it seems like the right thing to do. There may be legitimate reasons why some of our employees do not receive the vaccine. On the other hand, I know that some of my employees have already received the vaccine. They managed to get it elsewhere, and not through the channels here in the sheriff’s office, ”said Gardner. “I encourage anyone who wants to obtain it. I provided them with all the factual information to make an informed decision. “
Gardner said the prison’s nursing staff is pre-approved to distribute the vaccine, but since the vaccine that public health is expecting requires very cold storage, they will not be able to store it at home or in prison. Because of this, they will be vaccinated at local hospitals.
Once, and if, they receive a vaccine that can be stored internally, prison nursing staff can distribute vaccines to inmates and correctional staff.
Gardner said he thinks it is important for the team to get the vaccine as it will be the quickest way to get back to normal.
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