News and Press Releases
Health Department News
Omicron variant detected in Polk County
There has been a case of the Omicron variant detected in Polk County.
Health Department News
Health Department will serve as COVID-19 test kit pick up and drop off site
Starting Wednesday, October 6, 2021, the Polk County Health Department will serve as a Test Iowa COVID-19 test kit pick up and drop off site.
Health Department News
Health Department will start Pfizer booster dose for adults 65 years and older and specific at-risk groups on Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Starting Tuesday, September 28, 2021, the Polk County Health Department will provide Pfizer booster doses for adults 65 years and older and individuals of specific at-risk groups.
Health Department News
Health Department will NOT start COVID-19 boosters on September 20, 2021
The Polk County Health Department will NOT start providing the community with COVID-19 boosters on Monday, September 20, 2021. The FDA and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have not approved the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Approval of booster doses is required by BOTH the FDA and ACIP prior to COVID-19 vaccine booster doses being administered.
Health Department News
Health Department recommends everyone six months and older to get their annual flu shot
Each year, flu season is unpredictable and severe. Some years, we have seen a mild flu season. Other flu seasons, such as when the H1N1 and H2N3 strains appeared, we saw healthy individuals, those with underlying health conditions, the young and old become sick, hospitalized and even die. The truth is we have no idea what this year’s flu season will look like. What we do know is that it is possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time.
Health Department News
New Visitor Restriction Guidelines for All Polk County Hospitals
As we continue to work together to keep our patients, families and healthcare providers safe and healthy, the following new visitor restriction policies have been put in place by all metro hospitals (Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and UnityPoint Health – Des Moines).
Health Department News
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are surging: It is time for our community to step up and do the right thing
Polk County is back in a situation we hoped to never be in again. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise.
Health Department News
Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised Individuals
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending an additional COVID-19 vaccine for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.
Health Department News
Central Iowa experiences prolonged extreme heat event: Take precautions especially when outdoors
(Des Moines, IA) – With very hot weather expected this weekend the Polk County Health Department encourages residents to take extra precautions to stay safe. Temperatures and humidity will be rising for the next several days and heat indices may exceed 100 throughout the weekend and again into next week.
Health Department News
Polk County Medical Coordination Center Media Release: MercyOne Des Moines and UnityPoint Health – Des Moines seeing high patient volumes
Over the past week, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and UnityPoint Health – Des Moines have seen an increase in patient volume. The Polk County Medical Coordination Center would like to remind the community about the importance of utilizing their primary care or urgent care locations instead of the emergency department.
Health Department News
Polk County COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program Update
On July, 2, 2021, The Polk County Board of Supervisors awarded the following individuals with 1,000 dollar checks from the COVID-19 vaccine lottery incentive program:
Health Department News
Polk County Health Department Provides Update on Current COVID-19 Vaccine Phases and Tiers
As Polk County’s vaccine supply that is allocated by the state remains limited, Polk County will not be opening up additional eligibility until substantial progress is made on the current groups. If the supply of vaccine from the state increases, we will open to additional groups faster.
Health Department News
Health Department Opens COVID-19 Vaccination to 64 Years and Under with Underlying Health Conditions Starting Monday, March 15, 2021
Starting, Monday, March 15, 2021, The Polk County Health Department, Polk County hospitals and clinics and select Medicap pharmacies will open COVID-19 vaccine appointments to 64 years and under with underlying health conditions pending vaccine allocation.
Health Department News
Health Department and Hy-Vee Expand Partnership to Vaccinate Individuals Needing Second Dose
The Polk County Health Department is delighted to share an expansion of its partnership with Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee is helping the Polk County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic by vaccinating individuals who need their second dose of Moderna.
Health Department News
Polk County Health Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office Warn Against COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
The Polk County Health Department and the Polk County Sherriff’s Office have been alerted to several COVID-19 vaccine scams in our community.
Health Department News
Second Dose COVID-19 Vaccination Updates from Polk County Health Department
In January, we saw larger allocations of Moderna than Pfizer. The Polk County Health Department made a planning assumption that the supply of both brands would continue to increase and in an effort to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
Health Department News
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates from Polk County Health Department
On behalf of Polk County hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, we want to thank our community for their patience and understanding as we continue vaccinating individuals eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as efficiently as possible. Collectively, we are committed to keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Health Department News
Polk County Medical Coordination Center Media Release: COVID-19 Vaccine Update from Polk County Healthcare Partners
On behalf of the Polk County hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, we want to thank our community for their patience and understanding as we continue vaccinating individuals eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as efficiently as possible. Collectively, we are committed to keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Health Department News
POLK COUNTY VACCINE CLINIC TO FOCUS ON EDUCATORS NEXT WEEK
This influx of vaccine for older adults will allow the Polk County Health Department to shift next week’s allotment to Polk County educators in an effort to safely re-open schools this month.
Health Department News
Health Department and Partners COVID-19 vaccine appointments are FULL now through Jan. 31
The Polk County Health Department and partners would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we start vaccinating individuals 65 years and older. The Polk County Health Department and select Hy-Vee and Medicap pharmacies COVID-19 vaccine appointments are FULL now through Jan. 31, 2021.
Health Department News
Health Department and Partners Open COVID-19 Vaccination to 65 Years and Older
Starting, Thursday, January 21, 2021, The Polk County Health Department and select Hy-Vee and Medicap pharmacies will open COVID-19 vaccine appointments to 65 years and older pending vaccine allocation at their pharmacy locations. Partners will continue to vaccinate Phase 1A during this time.
Health Department News
Health Department and Partners Add Additional Pharmacies to Vaccinate for COVID-19
The Polk County Health Department and partners open additional pharmacies for individuals to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Polk County is STILL in Phase 1A.
Health Department News
Health Department and Partners Expand COVID-19 Vaccination to Additional Healthcare Workers in Phase 1A
The Polk County Health Department will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to additional healthcare workers (working in Polk County) eligible for vaccination in Phase 1A beginning Monday, January 11, 2021.
Health Department News
Health Department reminds public COVID-19 vaccine phasing
The Polk County Health Department will like to remind the public that we are STILL in Phase 1A.
Health Department News
Health Department and Partners Expand COVID-19 Vaccination to Healthcare Workers in Phase 1A to Additional Groups
The Polk County Health Department will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to all healthcare workers eligible for vaccination in Phase 1A, beginning Monday, January 11, 2021. The vaccinations will be offered at the Polk County Health Department and select community pharmacies by appointment only.
Health Department News
Polk County Health Department Tentative COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline
Based on vaccine supply, this is a TENTATIVE TIMELINE on when we will see vaccine in our community for the following phases. Please note this is a fluid situation and can change at any time.
Health Department News
Polk County COVID-19 hospitalizations at all-time high
Today, Saturday, November 14, 2020, Polk County has 204 COVID-19 hospitalizations. This is the highest number of hospitalizations Polk County has seen throughout the pandemic. We cannot stress enough how alarming and urgent the situation has become for hospitals and their health care workers.