(Des Moines) At her weekly press conference, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds stated that 53-percent of Iowans aged 18-years of age and up had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 37-percent of Iowans are vaccinated, ranking 15th in the nation.
Reynolds says as of April 8th, more than 50,000 doses have been administered to Iowans and the highest single number of doses administered in a single day since the start of the vaccination process. However, the Governor says news early last week of the pause by the FDA and CDC to pause the administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine due to a rare blood clot disorder occurring in just six out of seven million people receiving the vaccine has some Iowans reconsidering getting the shot.
Reynolds says the vaccine is being re-allocated to more populous counties and metro areas where demand is higher.
However, Governor Reynolds quoted data from a recent survey showing young, and middle-aged adults are least willing to be vaccinated. Fifty percent of adults aged 18-39 indicated they would wait and see before getting the vaccine. This compares to 28-percent amongst adults 40-59 years of age. Those indicating they would not get vaccinated, 45-percent were 18-39, and 36-percent are 40-59 years old.
Reynolds says the state has decided to focus on vaccinating college students before they return home intently. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been distributed to Iowa three regent universities for student clinics. Many private colleges and community colleges are working with their public health departments or area pharmacies to administer vaccinations to their students. Reynolds says students are taking advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated.