ALGONA – COVID-19 vaccine providers in Iowa, including Kossuth County Public Health, may distribute the vaccine to additional priority groups. This includes individuals 18 to 64 years of age with medical conditions that may increase the risk of severe illness from the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine is still available for people age 65 and older and others who meet the criteria in priority groups 1B and 1A. The Call Center will be open on Thursday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., scheduling appointments for a vaccine clinic on Wednesday, March 17. The Call Center phone number is 515-395-9111. "This change will help deliver the vaccine sooner to the people who are at a high risk for complications from COVID-19 due to a chronic health condition," said Lynzie Nilles, director of Kossuth County Public Health and Community Health and Hospice at Kossuth Regional Health Center. "Vaccine options are becoming more plentiful, but the number of people who are eligible to receive it is growing, too. It may take time to reach everyone who wants it, but we are making progress. We appreciate your patience and will continue to get the vaccine out to people as quickly and efficiently as we can."