Officials with Hamilton County Public Health have announced that a very limited supply COVID-19 vaccine will be allocated to area clinics to begin 1B vaccinations.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced changes to the priority populations receiving a vaccination in Phase 1B. These changes included extending the age priority from 75 and older to 65 and older. Individuals who qualify for group 1B were also outlined.

According to Shelby Kroona, Hamilton County Public Health administrator, Phase 1B is expected to begin Monday, Feb. 1. Local public health will be allocating the doses to its partners to assist with the vaccination process. The plan for Hamilton County is to allocate all 200 between the three clinic offices –Van Diest Family Health Clinic, Iowa Specialty and McFarland. Kroona said this was the complete allocation for the first week of February.

The Hamilton County population of 65 and older is approximately 2,500 people. The clinic plans are as follows: Iowa Specialty and McFarland Clinics will call patients when they have a vaccine for them. Van Diest has set up a phone line for people to leave their information and a return call will be made to the patient.

The second allocation to Hamilton County for the week of Feb. 8 is 100 doses. Kroona said that allocation will be used to start vaccinating Tier 1. Tier 1 includes pre-K through 12th grade staff members, daycare workers, police, firefighters and child welfare social workers.

“Again, Hamilton County has more than 100 individuals in this tier. The Health Department has been and will work with Administration for individuals in this tier to get appointments scheduled as the vaccine becomes available. The Health Department will alert individuals when the vaccine is available to you,” she said.

The health department continues to work through local clinics, community members, hospital and looks forward to working with local pharmacies.

“Phase 1B will take many weeks to months to complete. As the supply of the vaccine is very small and the demand is very great, please be patient and understand everyone is doing the best they can. As supplies increase, there will be more opportunities to receive the vaccine.

“As we wait for those days, everyone should continue to take protective measures, regardless of being vaccinated to limit the spread of COVID-19,” she said.

Kroona reminded the public to stay home if they are sick, wash their hands often, stay six feet away from others at all times and wear a mask.