Update 6:04 pm – DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) received updated planning numbers for COVID-19 vaccine allocations from the CDC. They reminded Iowans that the planning numbers were subject to change.
IDPH says it is working through the distribution details with the revised vaccine allocation from CDC. Vaccine distribution they note will continue to follow the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations that health care personnel and long-term care (including assisted living) residents and staff remain the first priority for vaccination.
Despite these revisions, IDPH says it is committed to initiating the national pharmacy program for long-term care facilities the week of December 28 as planned, though the original timeline for completion will be impacted. The Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC), will convene within the next 48 hours to discuss how changes in allocation numbers will affect the prioritization of and timeline for healthcare personnel receiving the vaccine.
Expected Approximate Vaccine Allocation (Numbers subject to change):
| Allocation Date | Pfizer | Moderna | Total |
| 12/13/20 | 26,000 | 0 | 26,000 |
| 12/20/20 | 19,500 | 53,800 | 73,300 |
| 12/27/20 | 19,500 | 19,500 | 39,000 |
| Total | 65,000 | 73,300 | 138,300 |
The FDA and CDC have shared information acknowledging extra doses of vaccine are available in the Pfizer vaccine vial. IDPH says it is awaiting formal guidance and direction from the FDA and CDC.
Original 1:12 am: – DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) said that the federal government notified them that the State of Iowa, as well as all other states, will not receive the volume of vaccine initially anticipated. IDPH says it appears the state’s allocation may be reduced by as much as 30 percent.
Two weeks ago the state announced that it anticipated receiving 172,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in December. The state anticipated receiving 26,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine around this week, with another 95,000 doses arriving the week of December 27. Also, 54,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine are anticipated for the week of December 20. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet given emergency approval for the Moderna vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccine has a 95 percent efficacy against COVID-19, while Moderna has a 94.5 percent efficacy against the coronavirus. Both vaccines require doses in two stages 21 days apart for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days apart for the Moderna vaccine.
IDPH said they are working to get confirmation and additional details from their federal partners and that it will take some time to work through the next steps and adjust their planning.
They said they will provide updates when they can confirm additional information.
