Iowa Reps. urge Biden Admin. to provide more COVID-19 vaccines for rural areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KWWL) -- Iowa Representatives Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), and Cindy Axne (IA-03) are calling on the Biden Administration to provide more COVID-19 vaccines for rural Iowa.

The Iowa delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday. The latest COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, which only requires one dose and can be stored using regular refrigeration, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization on Saturday.

"As Members of Congress representing a state with many rural residents, we understand the specific challenges our rural communities face in looking to vaccinate residents efficiently and equitably," the members wrote. "Prioritizing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to rural areas would: reduce the burden on rural health care providers and county health officials; simplify the distribution and administration process; and, ensure equitable vaccine access for rural Americans."

The representatives note more than 1.1 million Iowans live in rural areas, more than a third of Iowa’s population, and a recent study showed 1 in 4 Americans in rural areas reported having trouble accessing health care.

"We recognize the logistical difficulties in ensuring safe vaccine distribution in rural areas – like increased transportation needs, lack of cold storage, and limited health professionals," the letter reads. "That is why we urge you to prioritize distributing the single-shot, refrigerator-stable COVID-19 vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson."

The full letter can be found here: