Local families in central Iowa have been slow to vaccinate their young kids from COVID-19. Driving the news: 334 kids under 5 years old have received the vaccine in Polk County as of June 28, according to the local health department. That’s less than 1% of Polk County’s 34,212 children under 5.
The CDC’s vaccine clearance for kids 6 months to 4 years was only last week, making it the last age group to get approved. Not all healthcare providers started administering vaccines last week, which could contribute to the low number. MercyOne opened appointments this week and Polk County Health only offers 50 appointments a day.
Broadlawns will give Moderna shots after July 4. The big picture: Since its approval, healthcare providers have been administering lower-doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young kids, but to tepid response. A national April poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on health issues, showed less than 20% of parents were eager about vaccinating their kids under 5, while the majority, 38%, wanted to wait and see how it works on others.