COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Updated March 2, 2021

Iowans Currently Eligible to be Vaccinated

As more vaccine becomes available, Clay County Public Health will continue to schedule vaccination clinics for Clay County residents who meet the Priority Group 1B, Tier 1 eligibility category per state guidelines and those age 65 and older, who qualify throughout all five of tiers within Priority Group 1B. Clinics are by appointment only.

Currently vaccine is allocated to Iowa counties based on each county's population. Due to the current extremely limited allocation of vaccine, Clay County Public Health is scheduling appointments for Clay County residents. Once vaccine distribution increases locally, Clay County Public Health will extend opportunities to residents of neighboring counties.

COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center

Appointments for all available vaccine for the week of March 1-6 have been scheduled and the Call Center is currently closed.

When more vaccine is allocated to Clay County Public Health the call center will schedule a time to be open. Currently, appointments can be made for Clay County residents who qualify in Phase 1B and Tier 1 which includes county residents age 65 or older, or people who qualify in Tier 1 due to their occupation.

The phone number is (712) 264-6514 or toll-free, 1-800-848-0638.
When all lines are full, it will ring busy. Please do not call the hospital or clinic as those phone systems cannot transfer to the call center.

Please remember: Do not call public health or your clinic with vaccine questions at this time to avoid tying up phone lines for those with health concerns contacting their health professionals. Also, health officials cannot return calls to everyone who leaves messages expressing concerns regarding the inability to schedule an appointment.

Other Vaccination Appointment Opportunities

Area healthcare partners such as local pharmacies will receive vaccine. Please be advised that pharmacies also receive limited supplies of vaccine, which means their schedule may also fill quickly and not reflect appointment availability. Watch their websites for more information.

HyVee pharmacies are receiving COVID-19 vaccine through a federal partnership. For information on immunization opportunities, check the HyVee website. Currently HyVee Pharmacy is scheduling online only; please do not call: HyVee Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Thrifty White Pharmacy will have vaccination opportunities, which also can be scheduled online, when available: Thrifty White Pharmacy Vaccine Scheduling
Vaccine Finder is an online service which helps users in searching for COVID-19 vaccine availability across the country: Vaccine Finder
The State of Iowa has launched a new webpage: Vaccinate.Iowa.Gov
211 - The State of Iowa is transitioning its 211 call center to accept calls from senior citizens who do not have access to technology and/or need assistance in scheduling a vaccination appointment.

Visit this page for updates. As the vaccine becomes available to more people, information will be shared broadly through this website, Spencer Hospital's Facebook account, and local media partners.

Tune into any of the Spencer Radio Group stations - KICDAM 1240, More 104.9, Big Country 107.7 or News 102.5 - on Saturday mornings at 7:50 AM for a local COVID-19 update. Listen at 7:50 AM or 4:20 PM each Monday to Y100 for an update during the "Doctor in the House" segment.

When I am scheduled to be vaccinated, what will I need to do?

Please print and complete the vaccine consent form for your first dose, available here: Vaccine Consent Form Dose #1. For your second dose appointment, please print and complete Vaccine Consent Form Dose #2. If unable to print, forms will be available at the vaccination clinic location.
Bring your driver's license or ID which shows your date of birth
If you are eligible to be vaccinated because of your occupation, please bring proof of employment, such as an employee ID
Plan on 20-30 minutes for your appointment as you will be observed for 15 minutes after your vaccination. Please be on time (not early or late) as appointments are designed to allow for social distancing. Wear a mask to your appointment.

How will I know the COVID-19 vaccine works?

The COVID-19 vaccine gives your immune system a preview of the coronavirus, so it learns how to stop it. It triggers antibodies in your blood to attack the virus’s unique spike protein.

Your immune system learns from the vaccine how to quickly recognize the actual virus and stop it from multiplying. The idea is to stop SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from getting into cells, replicating itself and making you sick. For more information on mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, click here: Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines

Currently, Clay County Public Health is administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about this vaccine here: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

The most common side effects are pain/redness at the injection site. Some people also may experience headache, fatigue, muscle/joint aches and low-grade fever. Most side effects last less than 24 hours, although the arm in which you receive the injection may be tender for a few days. It's estimated 10-15 percent of those who receive the vaccine experience side effects in addition to injection-site tenderness. You will have the option to sign up for a national database for reporting side effects: V-Safe Information Sheet Also, here's information on what to expect after being vaccinated: What to Expect After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccination

Frequently Asked Questions

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) routinely updates its list of frequently asked questions and answers, with new information being added when confirmed. Click here for answers to many commonly asked questions: CDC - Frequently Asked Questions