bshea@messengernews.net
People who get a COVID-19 vaccine and then receive a bill shouldn’t pay it, according to the Webster County Health Department.
The vaccine,which is provided by the federal government, is free, according to Kari Prescott, the department’s director.
Those who receive the vaccine should never get a bill or be charged a co-pay, the department reported.
Billing people for a vaccine is a new scam, Prescott said Tuesday.
Not posting an image of a vaccination card on social media is one way to reduce the risk of being targeted by this scam.
Anyone who gets a bill or is charged a co-pay should call the Health Department at 515-573-4107.
bshea@messengernews.net
A coronavirus vaccine clinic scheduled for today in Fort Dodge was abruptly canceled because of reports of blood clots that may be connected to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that was to be administered.
Kari Prescott, director of the Webster County Health Department, said the clinic was canceled after her agency received recommendations from federal and state health officials.
She said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Iowa Department of Public Health recommended ”a pause” in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six women developed a rare type of blood clot after getting that vaccine.
Webster County Public Health Director Kari Prescott has been asked to appear at Gov. Kim Reynolds’ weekly news conference on Wednesday. During the statewid
edecious@messengernews.net
Thanks to a federal partnership with Daniel Pharmacy, Webster County will receive another 400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for manufacturing and production workers who are unable to social distance at work.
The Webster County Health Department (WCHD) and Daniel Pharmacy learned of the new shipment Monday afternoon. After a whirlwind of positive news and several hours of planning, the single-dose vaccines will be delivered to workers at Elanco, Nestle Purina PetCare and C&S Products Co. Inc. on Thursday and Friday.
The doses, received from the federal government through the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Service Network that Daniel Pharmacy is part of, must be used in manufacturing employer settings. WCHD asked local manufacturers to prioritize production workers who are unable to social distance, have coexisting high-risk medical conditions and those over 65.
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Gov. Kim Reynolds, left, visits with Kari Prescott, director of the Webster County Public Health Department, at Crossroads Mall on Saturday. During her visit to Fort Dodge, Reynolds said she was impressed with the departmentâs handling of the mass vaccination clinics. -Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
State Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, right, administers a COVID-19 vaccine during a mass clinic at Crossroads Mall on Saturday. In addition to being a state representative, Meyer is a registered nurse. -Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Gov. Kim Reynolds, left, visits with a Webster County resident who just received a COVID-19 vaccine at Crossroads Mall on Saturday. Reynolds said she was happy to see all of the smiles from residents after receiving a vaccine.