Gov. Kim Reynolds announced 25,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be distributed Wednesday and Thursday to 51 companies, and JBS in Marshalltown is included.

In fact, after the 11 a.m. press conference the governor held. Marshall County Public Health Nurse Pat Thompson said the vaccines arrived Wednesday and were already at JBS.

“JBS is doing a great job at being prepared and having this vaccine is great since it is only one dose,” Thompson said.

Marshall County was chosen as one of 17 counties in the state for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to its significant Phase 1B, Tier 2 population – frontline workers in food, agriculture, distribution and manufacturing who live or work in setting where social distancing is not feasible.

This approach will ensure county public health departments can coordinate with employers on the quick administration of COVID-19 vaccine to essential workforce who have been disproportionally affected by the virus.

The Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine was approved for Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA and CDC on Sunday. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures, making it less logistically complex to handle and administer. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine was shown to prevent hospitalization and death in clinical trials 100 percent of the time, and 85 percent effective at preventing severe illness from the virus.

As the vaccine effort continues, the Iowa Department of Public Health continues to encourage Iowans to remain patient as more arrive in the weeks and months ahead. It is also critical to continue practicing the mitigation measures that can slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

People are asked to continue:

• Wearing a mask or face covering

• Social distancing

• Cleaning hands frequently with soap and water

• Staying home if sick

• Getting tested if symptoms of COVID-19 appear or there has been exposure to the virus