Hospital continues vaccinating those eligible, are unsure if Johnson & Johnson vaccine will come here

GREENFIELD — According to a press release from Adair County Health System March 1, the hospital continues vaccinating individuals for COVID-19 who meet eligibility criteria in the first two tiers of Phase 1B, which were released a week ago.

Johnson & Johnson has a one-dose vaccine that received emergency use authorization from the FDA this week, however the hospital does not know if and when it will be made available to them here.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has reported that initial Johnson & Johnson allocations in Iowa will go to selected counties with large manufacturing entities that have employees who are unable to social distance, like large meat packing facilities.

The hospital has a notification list for vaccinations. Individuals may call 641-743-2123 and press option 4 during business hours to be placed on a list to be notified when they can schedule an appointment to be vaccinated. They may also email publichealth@adaircountyhealthsystem.org.

ACHS expects to continue receiving 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine’s first dose and second “boost” dose.

“Our supply of boost doses is allocated for individuals to whom we administered first doses,” officials said. “Individuals who received their first dose of vaccine somewhere else should contact their original provider for the second dose. Studies show the second dose in the series should be administered at least 28 days, and ideally not more than 42 days, after receiving the first dose, for optimal immune response.”

Public Health says some local pharmacies are receiving vaccine allocations through a separate federal pharmacy program, which is also helping more people to be vaccinated. Pharmacies are primarily focusing on individuals age 65 and over.

“Thank you to Adair County residents for your continued patience and to our partners for the collaboration,” officials said.