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Iowa Gov. Reynolds addresses slow vaccine distribution in COVID-19 press conference

Reynolds said more than 137,000 Iowans have received their first dose of the vaccine and nearly 70,000 of those people received their second dose.

Credit: AP

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds listens to a question from Associated Press reporter Dave Pitt during a news conference, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa. Reynolds announced the launch of a public awareness campaign to encourage more social distancing and hygiene habits. "Government solutions alone can't stop this virus. It's up to every single one of us," Reynolds said. (Olivia Sun/The Des Moines Register via AP)

IOWA, USA — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addressed the state's sluggish distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in a press conference Thursday.

Reynolds said more than 137,000 Iowans have received their first dose of the vaccine and nearly 70,000 of those people received their second dose and are now fully vaccinated.

Currently, Iowa ranks 46th for vaccine allocation per capita

"I recognize the vaccine process isn't as fast nor as easy as many of us would like it to be," the governor said.

"I understand how disappointing it is when you're finally eligible to get the vaccine and you can't get through to schedule an appointment. While vaccine supply is limited, appointments will also be limited."

Watch the full press conference here:

Reynolds said the White House has guaranteed the state a specific number of vaccines for the upcoming three weeks and hopes with increased certainty, counties will vaccinate Iowans.