The state of Iowa will reach a milestone this week, with over 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine being administered statewide. Additionally, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which received Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA and CDC on Feb. 28, will be allocated to 17 Iowa counties with significant Phase 1B, Tier 2 populations.

Black Hawk, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Clarke, Crawford, Dallas, Dubuque, Linn, Louisa, Marion, Marshall, Muscatine, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Sioux, Tama and Wright counties will be allocated 25,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The vaccine will go to frontline essential workers in food, agriculture, distribution and manufacturing sectors and those who live or work in settings that make social distancing unfeasable.

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine was shown to prevent hospitalization and death in clinical trials 100% of the time and was 85% effective at preventing severe illness from the virus. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose and can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures, making it easier to handle and administer.

The United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties will host a virtual panel discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine in Johnson County on Thursday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The panel discussion will be hosted by Barb Thomas, UI Tippie College of Business Executive Director of Communication, Alumni and External Relations. Panelists will include Suresh Gunasekaran, CEO of the University of Iowa Health Care and Samuel Jarvis, Community Health Division Manager at Johnson County Public Health.

The event is free, however registration is required to receive connection information. Visit unitedwayjwc.org/form/covid-19-panel-discussion to register. After registering, guests can post questions for the panel.

“United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties is pleased to present an expert panel to share how the development and distribution of vaccines for the coronavirus can impact the health of all residents and protect the clients, staff and supporters of local non-profit organizations,” said Katie Knight, President and CEO of United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties. “This event offers an opportunity to elevate important information and address personal questions.”

UIHC has publicized a warning about scammers pretending to be calling on behalf of UI Health Care to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination and then asking for social security and credit card numbers to cover administrative fees. The public should be aware that UI Health Care will never ask for this information to schedule a vaccination. If individuals receive this call, they should hang up immediately.