COVID-19 vaccine update: Frequently asked questions
I completed my COVID-19 immunization survey—how soon can I expect notification?
While we expect to have increased availability over the coming weeks, it will take time to get everyone scheduled for vaccination. We are moving through the supply as quickly as we can, but we cannot control when and how many doses we receive. We respectfully ask for your patience and support.
Am I required to be vaccinated?
The University of Iowa strongly encourages students, faculty, and staff to receive the vaccine as soon as they are eligible, in consultation with their health care provider, but it is not mandatory.
The Iowa Code authorizes the Iowa Department of Public Health to evaluate vaccination requirements, and the UI follows its determinations and guidance.
Reminder: Complete your COVID-19 vaccination survey
With vaccine eligibility expanding and supply expected to increase, the university is preparing to vaccinate students, faculty, and staff.
Students who wish to be vaccinated by Student Health must first complete a COVID-19 immunization survey.
Employees who wish to be vaccinated by the University Employee Health Clinic must first complete a COVID-19 immunization survey in your ReadySet employee health record. This brief survey of your medical history, similar to the survey required for the flu vaccine, is required to become vaccinated and triggers the process to self-schedule the vaccination appointment.
We urge you to complete the appropriate immunization survey as soon as you can. The number of vaccines we can give is dependent on the number of doses we receive from the state and county, so it will take time to get everyone scheduled for vaccination. If you can be vaccinated sooner at an approved location, such as a local pharmacy, we encourage you to do so.
In the meantime, we can continue to protect ourselves by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance from others, washing our hands frequently, and avoiding indoor gatherings with others outside of our household. Thank you for your patience and support. We are all in this together.
For additional information, visit the university’s COVID-19 vaccine information page.
Johnson County vaccination progress
| County | Population | Total doses administered to Iowa residents | Total doses administered to Johnson County residents | Two-dose series initiated | Two-dose series completed | Single-dose series completed | % of Johnson County residents with two-dose series initiated and two-and single-dose series completed | % of Johnson County residents with two-and single-dose series completed |
| Johnson | 151,140 | 1,683,624 | 102,139 | 22,118 | 38,850 | 2,321 | 41.87% | 27.24% |
The University of Iowa strongly encourages students, faculty, and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible, in consultation with their health care provider. Getting the vaccine will help protect you from contracting COVID-19, and immunity from the vaccine far outweighs natural immunity from the infection.
Please keep in mind immunity is not achieved immediately after receiving the vaccine. It also will take time for everyone who wants to be vaccinated to receive the required doses. In the meantime, we can continue to protect ourselves and each other by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance from others, washing our hands frequently, and avoiding indoor gatherings with others outside our household. More information about the state of Iowa’s vaccine administration is available here.
University of Iowa self-reported COVID-19 testing
These data reflect new cases since April 7, 2021.
The University of Iowa has published an updated snapshot of self-reported positive COVID-19 tests from faculty, staff, and students.
Number of self-reported cases of COVID-19
Students
- New cases: 11
- Total cases: 3,123
Employees
- New cases: 1
- Total cases: 471
These numbers reflect only self-reported positive or presumed positive COVID-19 tests from UI faculty, staff, and students on the academic campus since Aug. 18, 2020. These data will not match data reported by UI Hospitals & Clinics or by the Iowa Department of Public Health for several reasons, including different testing time intervals and geographic scope. Students who also are employees of the university are only reported in the student number to avoid double counting. The UI has more than 30,000 students and nearly 30,000 employees. Many employees continue to work remotely but have self-reported to authorize sick leave.
Number of residence hall students in quarantine: 0*
Number of residence hall students in self-isolation: 1**
*Quarantine: Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others.
**Self-isolation: Isolation is used to separate people infected.