COVID-19 Vaccinations

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Sleeves Up! Dubuque County

Getting vaccinated will help keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe. At 95% efficacy, the vaccine is extraordinarily effective at protecting you from the virus. By getting vaccinated, you can help end the damage to the economy, prevent more illnesses and deaths in America, and weed out COVID-19.

Current: Phase 1B: Tier 1

  • The vaccine remains in short supply. This means not everyone in Phase 1B will be able to get the vaccine right away. To help balance vaccine supply with the Phase 1B demands, IDPH has implemented a tiered prioritization (PDF).
  • The Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team is following federal and state recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations. Dubuque County is now vaccinating Phase 1B Tier 1.  
  • Populations in Phase 1B Tier 1 include residents age 65 and older, first responders (police officers, firefighters, child welfare social workers), PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers. 
  • Phase 1A long-term care residents and healthcare workers that have not received their vaccine will continue to be a priority for vaccination.

All Eligible Populations

  • Health Care Personnel (Phase 1A)
  • Long-Term Care Residents (Phase 1A)
  • Adults 65+ (Phase 1B Tier 1)
  • First Responders (Phase 1B Tier 1)
  • PK-12 School Staff and Childcare Workers (Phase 1B Tier 1)


Age 65 and Older

All Iowans age 65 and older are eligible to be vaccinated but demand for vaccine currently exceeds the supply. It will take months before the vaccine is available to everyone who wants it.

If you are 65 and older, there are two ways to get vaccinated:

Healthcare Provider Appointments

Healthcare providers are contacting their primary care patients age 65 and older by phone, text, and email to offer vaccination appointments as vaccine supplies allow. If you have not yet been contacted by your primary care provider, they will contact you as supplies increase. Please do not call clinics requesting the vaccine at this time because a high volume of calls makes it more difficult to assist patients with immediate needs. If you are a Dubuque County resident 65 years and older and do not have a primary care provider, call the Dubuque County Sleeves Up phone number at 563-587-4950 for assistance on how to receive a vaccine.

Pharmacy Appointments

Some Dubuque County pharmacies are receiving vaccines and are expected to receive more over time. Most of these appointments are scheduled through websites/online systems so ask family, friends, or neighbors if you need assistance with online registration processes. Please note appointment availability is based on the vaccine supply for the week.

Dubuque County pharmacies offering or expected to offer vaccines include:

Additional pharmacies may be added to this program later. Vaccine appointments must be scheduled in advance.

Sleeves Up! Phone Number

If you are a Dubuque County resident 65 years and older and do not have a primary care provider, call the Dubuque County Sleeves Up phone number at 563-587-4950 for assistance on how to receive a vaccine.

Next: Phase 1B: Tiers 2-5

Tier 2

  • Frontline essential workers in food, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors who live or work in non-social distanced settings
  • Information for Employers with Essential Workers
  • Individuals with disabilities living in home settings and their direct care staff

Tier 3

  • Staff and individuals living in congregate settings not covered by a previous phase or tier (does not include college dormitories)
  • Government officials, to ensure continuity of government including staff, engaged in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session

Tier 4

  • Inspectors responsible for hospital, long-term care, and child safety

Tier 5

  • Correctional facility staff and individuals incarcerated

Looking Ahead: Phase 1C

The CDC has recommended priority populations for Phase 1C, however, the state of Iowa has not made a recommendation for Phase 1C priority populations at this time. 

For Employers

Local officials need to quickly identify businesses with “essential employees” as defined by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) in Phase 1B - Tier 2, who are prioritized for vaccination. Please complete the Employer Response Form as soon as possible. It will organize the process and accelerate the vaccination of your essential employees. 

Related Video

In the Feb. 18 update video, Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan talked about vaccine priority groups, how they are determined, and what to expect if you are in one of those groups. She also recommends reaching out to those 65 and older who may need help determining their vaccination plan.