Iowa news
Some Iowa counties decline state vaccine supplies as demand wanes
Four months ago, the select people who qualified for COVID-19 vaccines were in a pitched race to secure the precious medicine. Now, less than two weeks after eligibility expanded to everyone 16 or older, some counties are declining their full allocations of vaccine in the hopes that the doses will go to places where there’s higher demand. Winnebago County Public Health asked for only half of the 200 doses the state allocated to the county. It’s one of 21 counties that declined a full allotment of vaccines due to lack of immediate demand (Des Moines Register)
What we know about the COVID-19 variants and their impact on children
There is a lot of good news on the fight against coronavirus: Nearly half of adults in the US have been given the vaccine and all restrictions for eligibility to get the COVID-19 vaccine have been lifted in America, allowing anyone above the age of 16 to get a shot. But coronavirus remains in our communities and continues to take the lives of thousands of Americans. To date, more than 5,000 Iowans have died from the virus. The B.1.1.7. variant, which has origins in the United Kingdom, is now the dominant strain of coronavirus in Iowa. (WeAreIowa.com)
To build a healthy community, address the digital divide and telemedicine equity in Iowa
Telemedicine use has skyrocketed more than 400% during the pandemic as patients sought medical services while adhering to social distancing restrictions and policies related to insurance coverage were relaxed under emergency orders. Nationally, 46% of the population is now using telemedicine, and many desire to increase this. Many providers, who needed to be convinced patient care would not be compromised, have started supporting telemedicine when appropriate for the conditions being diagnosed and treated. (Des Moines Register)
National news
Montana health system implements mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations
Great Falls, Mont.-based Benefis Health System will make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees. The vaccine will be mandatory for the health system’s more than 3,300 employees as of May 1. Employees who are not exempt from deferral are required to receive their second doses by July 1. Benefis said the decision was based on various criteria, including vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as healthcare employees’ exposure risk. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Johnson and Johnson one-shot vaccine pause might be lifted this week
The pause on using the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine will probably be lifted by Friday, although some restrictions may be required, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday. Dr. Fauci said he doubts the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will “just cancel” the J&J vaccine and continue allowing only the two-dose vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. (USA Today)
About 5,800 ‘breakthrough infections’ reported in fully vaccinated people
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is “keeping a close eye” on COVID-19 cases in fully vaccinated people, agency Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a hearing before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. The CDC has reports of approximately 5,800 so-called breakthrough infections, out of the nearly 77 million people in the United States who have been fully vaccinated. (NBC News)