(Des Moines) At her weekly press briefing, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds called the FDA and CDC approval of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine a “game-changer.”
Reynolds notes J & J is a one-dose vaccine that means twice as many people can be vaccinated in the fraction of time it takes for two doses spaced out 21-to-28 days apart. Additionally, the vaccine can be stored at routine refrigeration temperatures allowing greater flexibility in various settings.
Reynolds says; unfortunately, some critics suggest the J & J vaccine is somehow inferior to those from Pfizer and Moderna because of a lower efficacy rate.
Governor Reynolds advises people weighing their options on vaccines to make sure their information comes from credible sources.
Governor Reynolds says the 25,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine allocated to Iowa are arriving today and tomorrow, with the next tier of Iowans receiving the vaccine. The next tier includes some workforce population essential in keeping the supply chains working over the past year. Reynolds says the plan is to vaccinate nearly 160,000 employees who work or live in congregate settings at the 456 food processing ag production, and manufacturing distribution companies across Iowa.
Reynolds anticipates it will take five to six weeks to vaccinate this population, depending on the vaccine allocations. For now, the state is moving forward with the initial Johnson & Johnson supply and vaccinating all 25,600 doses to 51 companies in 17 counties which collectively employ 30,000 workers. The employer vaccination clinics are scheduled to begin as soon as tomorrow.
