Iowa declines 22K vaccine doses amid slowdown in demand

Health officials in Iowa are refusing thousands of coronavirus vaccine doses from the federal government, citing a lack of demand.

State officials told the Des Moines Register this weekend that they declined 18,300 of the 34,300 doses of Moderna vaccine they were slated to receive this week, and did not accept 3,510 of the 46,800 Pfizer doses planned.

“Along with several other states, we are seeing a slowdown of vaccine administration, but we are working with our local partners and community leaders to determine where additional education is needed and to gain an understanding of the needs of each county’s unique population,” Sarah Ekstrand, a spokeswoman for the local health department, said. 

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said last week that more than 30 percent of Iowa’s counties had indicated they did not need their allotted weekly vaccine doses from the state, The Associated Press reported. 

More than half of Iowa adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, more than 40 percent of Iowans have been fully vaccinated against the disease, the AP noted. 

Federal health officials announced last week that all U.S. adults are now eligible for a coronavirus vaccination and encouraged inoculations as several states report a dip in demand.