Iowa governor gets J&J vaccine

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine during her weekly news conference Wednesday to encourage Iowans to get vaccinated as soon as they can.

Reynolds, her husband Kevin Reynolds and Iowa Department of Public Health Administrator Kelly Garcia were all vaccinated during the televised event.

"I wanted to ensure Iowans that I believe it is a safe vaccine and not to be afraid to take it," the governor said.

Reynolds said she wanted to wait to get vaccinated until after nursing home residents and staff, essential workers, including teachers and school staff and other priority workers, had the chance to get vaccinated.

Reynolds said nearly half of U.S. governors have been vaccinated and the timing worked for her to get the Johnson & Johnson dose.

"Some critics are suggesting that the J&J vaccine is somehow inferior to those from Pfizer and Moderna because it's efficacy rate is lower. This information is misleading and quite, frankly, it's irresponsible," said Reynolds, who has been criticized for disregarding or downplaying virus safeguards for much of the pandemic.

Iowa is one of several Republican-led states that have lifted most mask and distancing requirements against the advice of top health experts.

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that lifting mask mandates now would be a mistake and urged state leaders to follow the science.

Iowa will get 25,600 Johnson & Johnson doses on Wednesday and Thursday, which will be used to vaccinate workers in food manufacturing and agricultural production. The initial allotment will go to 51 companies in 17 counties, and vaccinations with it will begin on Thursday, she said.