Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination effort begins this week in Iowa. This phase includes first responders, child welfare workers, school staff, and everyone age 65 and older. Marion County will also open to high risk Pre-K-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers. When a group becomes eligible, they will remain eligible for the entirety of the vaccine rollout.

Marion County has been allocated to receive 500 first doses of the Moderna vaccine. The following locations will receive 100 new doses (additional may be available, depending on any leftover from previous shipments):

Pella HyVee
Pella Regional Pharmacy
Knoxville HyVee
Knoxville Medicap Pharmacy
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics

Knoxville Hospital & Clinics will hold a vaccination clinic on Thursday, February 4th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. A phone line specifically for these appointments has been created: 641-842-7015. Appointments can be made beginning Monday at 8:30 a.m. Contact the other providers for specific information about receiving the vaccine at those locations.

The Pella and Knoxville Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations will receive allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine later this week for individuals 65 and older, as well as essential workers as designated by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The website is for Pella http://ms.spr.ly/6180paxna and this is for Knoxville: http://ms.spr.ly/6181paxnx. Please do not call Hy-Vee as their pharmacies do not have appointments available that are not reflected online.

Marion County Public Health encourages seniors to receive their vaccine from a local pharmacy. A booster dose should be received 28 days after the first dose, and should be done with the same provider as the first. School staff do not need to schedule their appointments, as Marion County Public Health is working with school districts on those vaccinations.

Those in Phase 1A who have not received the vaccine will not receive preferential scheduling, but can still schedule their vaccinations as availability allows.

Stay tuned to KNIA/KRLS, KNIAKRLS.com, and Marion County Public Health’s website and Facebook page for the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.