With the approval of the COVID-19 vaccines, many are wondering when those will show up locally. 

According to Dallas County Public Health Public Information Officer Ann Cochran, more than 1,500 healthcare providers have signed up to administer vaccines. This week Iowa will receive the first allocation of the Pfizer vaccine with some going to six prepositioned healthcare sites for professional healthcare staff with the rest being held for long-term care residents. 

Cochran says the week of December 20, Iowa is scheduled to receive the second allocation of the Pfizer vaccine and the first of the Moderna vaccine will go to all counties based on priority groups. Any leftover Pfizer vaccine will then be distributed to counties based on priority groups. 

While many people won’t fall into the group of being high priority to be vaccinated yet, Cochran says they can still do their part. 

“They can assist in eradicating the COVID virus by sticking to the plan. Which is they should continue to avoid crowds, wear a mask when in public and stay home if sick and that’s what all the rest of us can do while we are waiting our turn.”