Iowa Expanding COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Beginning Monday 3/8

A LOT of us are waiting for that COVID-19 vaccine. Does the shot immediately fix everything and crush the pandemic? No... but it's a step in the right direction, and certainly I would feel more comfortable going out and being in larger gatherings after obtaining my jab, or jabs if I end-up with the Pfizer or Moderna one. I'm not alone, nearly 70% of Americans plan to - or perhaps have received their vaccine.

That's good news for more Iowans. Effective this Monday, March 8th, more will be eligible to receive the vaccine. KCRG reports anyone who is age 64 and younger with medical conditions that are or may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 will be able to schedule a vaccination.

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Here are some of the conditions that qualify:

• Asthma
• Cancer
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Cystic fibrosis
• Down syndrome
• Certain heart conditions
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Liver disease
• Neurological heath issues, such as dementia
• Organ transplant recipients with a weakened immune system
• Overweight with a BMI of over 25. This includes obese and severe obese individuals
• Pregnancy
• Pulmonary fibrosis (damaged or scarred lung tissues)
• Sickle cell disease
• Smoking
• Thalassemia.
• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Weakened immune system or immunocompromised Iowans

This directly follows CDC guidelines - for more information on what qualifies from the above list, visit the CDC's official page for vaccination eligibility here. As has been the case since the vaccine was first shipped to Iowa, you must make an appointment and schedule your shot with your vaccination provider in order to receive the vaccine.