Comment on More than 900,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Iowa so far

More than 900,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Iowa, according to data the Iowa Department of Public Health. As of 12:30 p.m. Monday, 902,070 doses have been administered in Iowa, according to the data, with 869,527 going to Iowa Residents. Statewide, 328,847 individuals have received one dose of the two-dose series, while 286,590 are fully vaccinated.In Linn County, 67,934 vaccine doses have been administered, and 23,540 — or 13.5 percent of the county’s adult population — have completed the two-shot vaccine.In Johnson County, 56,068 doses have been administered, and 20,336 — or 16.79 percent of the county’s adult population — have completed the vaccine.Expanded EligibilityStarting Monday, Iowans younger than 65 became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine if they have underlying medical conditions that put them at an increased risk of severe illness from the coronavirus.Linn County Public Health announced Monday that individuals aged 16-64 with certain underlying health conditions will be able to receive a shot from a Linn County provider beginning March 14.According to the CDC website, people with these conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from the coronavirus: cancer; chronic kidney disease; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); Down syndrome; heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant; obesity (body mass index of 30 or higher but less than 40); severe obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 40); pregnancy; sickle cell disease; smoking; and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.Iowans in previous priority groups who are able to receive the COVID vaccine now are health care workers, long-term care facility residents and staff, people 65 and older, teachers and staff at K-12 schools, child care staff and essential workers.Cdc GuidelinesAs more people get vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines Monday, expanding freedoms for fully vaccinated individuals.