Hawkeye Reporter

COVID-19 immunization rates are increasing in Iowa and across the country, according to KCRG.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates the vaccine's seven-day average of daily doses has been increasing for several weeks, KCRG reported. This data includes individuals receiving their first treatment as well as immunocompromised individuals receiving their third dose.

“Increasing the vaccination rate will prevent additional COVID-19 strands from developing,” Dr. Sherri Flugrad, an Ames-based physician, said in a Mcfarland Clinic Youtube video urging citizens to get the vaccine.

Some businesses have begun requiring vaccinations as a condition of employment. UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids reported an increase of 8% in staff immunizations following the implementation of such requirements, KCRG reported.

Additionally, the University of Iowa initiated a mini-campaign to raise COVID-19 vaccination rates in mid-sized Iowa communities, The Daily Iowan reported.

Since Aug. 23, the University of Iowa Prevention Research Center for Rural Health has been partnering with the Iowa Public Health Association and Iowa Immunizes on this "delta" campaign, which targets areas with a population of 10,000 to 50,000 citizens in order to avoid additional delta variant related infections.