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BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa (KWWL) – The Iowa Department of Public Health is not requiring proof of the underlying health conditions of Iowans wanting the COVID-19 vaccine.
People under 65 with underlying health conditions are now eligible for the vaccine. Heads of state and local people rely on residents to be honest when scheduling appointments.
Some of these pre-existing conditions include smoking and heart problems, which are quite difficult to see with the naked eye. At the time of this writing, you do not need to prove that you are eligible to get the vaccine.
“We didn’t ask for anything, and that’s just the direction we were given,” said Joe Greenwood, pharmacist and COO of Greenwood Pharmacy.
IPDH, pharmacies and county health services rely solely on the honor system.
We are counting on the Iowans to be honest in their certification of having any of the conditions described by the CDC that would put them at greater risk of illness from the COVID-19 virus. We know most Iowans will do the right thing and wait until they are eligible. Requiring additional documentation or instituting a referral process would hinder and significantly slow down the process and the progress we are making in Iowa.
Statement from the Iowa Department of Public Health
“There is a reason why different groups were nominated before others and we are asking people to comply,” said Black Hawk County Environmental Health Director Jared Parmater.
County health officials statewide are urging healthy people who are not in the eligible groups not to jump the line. Those who choose to do this may affect the health of others who may need the vaccine.
“They are more likely to have a serious infection, or to have a longer infection, or not to be able to fight off the infection at all,” Greenwood said.
The main problem remains the limited supply of vaccine doses entering counties and state. Providers hope to get a raise for the tens of thousands who are now eligible.
Greenwood Pharmacy expects to receive more doses each week starting at the end of March and expects the same for suppliers statewide. Pharmacists there say the production has increased and they should see an increase.
“The vaccine will be available to everyone. We will have an increased supply,” Greenwood said.
People aged 65 and over and other groups entering phase 1B still receive vaccines. County health officials are asking for the patience and cooperation of the public.
On Thursday, Biden announced that he was ordering states to make all U.S. adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1. Reynolds says it is possible that Iowa will exceed that deadline if the vaccine supply continues to increase as expected.
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