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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP / KWWL) – Iowa health officials have said they will withhold COVID-19 vaccines from five counties next week because they haven’t used up to 80% of their allowance this week.
Kelly Garcia, acting director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, said on Friday the state was invoking a new rule, designed to minimize the amount of vaccine left in stock.
“We were a little concerned that there were some spaces that weren’t moving the vaccine as fast as we would like,” Garcia said. “So we implemented a threshold measure. The goal has always been to receive the vaccine and get it out as quickly as possible.”
She did not specify the five counties concerned. Garcia says counties aren’t punished but instead have time to catch up on vaccinations.
Counties will receive their full vaccine allocation the following week if they meet the 80% target.
KWWL contacted the IDPH, and Public Information Officer Sarah Ekstrand responded with a statement explaining the hiatus.
“This break in allocation will allow each county to focus on administering the hundreds of unused doses they have on hand during this time. The IDPH offered to provide counties with nurses and other resources to help them with vaccination clinics in their communities. will also work with each county to ensure they have the right tools in place to ensure swift administration so their vaccine allocation can resume the following week. “
Sarah Ekstrand, Iowa Department of Public Health
Ekstrand said the doses initially allocated to those counties next week will be sent to other vaccine suppliers capable of delivering the doses at a higher rate. She said publishing the names of the five counties would be counterproductive.
“We believe that disclosing the names of the five counties does not support the intended outcome of the process, which is to give them the time they need to consolidate their administrative process and get back on track to receive new allocations to the Iowans,” Ekstrand said.
KWWL is working to confirm the 5 counties involved.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
More vaccine coverage here.
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