First COVID-19 vaccine signup in Cerro Gordo County today

MASON CITY — Those signed up with the CodeRed notification system got the call late Friday afternoon about being able to sign up in Cerro Gordo County for the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The county’s website where people can sign up opens at 10 o’clock this morning to try to fill appointments for this Friday for distributing 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine to those 65 and older, healthcare providers, or those in need of their second dose.

During a news conference held last week, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health director Brian Hanft asked for people to be patient throughout this next phase of vaccinations.  “We need people to continue to just be patient. We know that if there’s only 500 doses available, there’s probably going to be 5000 people trying to sign up.”

If you are successful in getting one of the time slots for Friday, Hanft reminds people to bring identification to your appointment.   “People who are 65 and older when they come in will need to show a  drivers license, proof of who they are, and that they do meet the age limitations. We require that because that’s what the governor is expecting as far as the vaccine shortage order. We’ll work through it.”

Hanft says the sign up helps control the number of people who are coming to the clinic and eventually may not get vaccinated.  “We’ve heard stories around the country where they don’t have a sign-up, and so it’s first come first serve, and we have long lines of people waiting to get in for a very limited number of vaccine doses. Iowa is cold and we don’t want our populations to have to stand in line trying to get in first so they can get their vaccine. This way at least people if they don’t get access to a time slot they’re not sitting in line when it’s really cold outside for long periods of time. It’ll help us manage the number of people that are coming in.”

The website to sign up is available by clicking here. If you don’t have internet access you can try to call 641-421-9321.