COVID-19 Testing & COVID-19 Vaccine
Last updated: February 16, 2022

COVID-19 Testing Information
The Bremer County Health Department now has FREE saliva COVID-19 at home test kits available.
Each test kit includes step-by-step instructions including how to activate the test kit, collect the test sample, return sample to SHL and when to expect results.  Visit https://www.testiowa.com/ to order a test kit or call the health department at 319-352-0082 to pick-up a test kit.

The federal website where individuals can order rapid antigen at-home tests is now live. Each household can order 4 kits free of charge. Orders usually ship in 7-12 days. Order test kits in advance so you have them on hand when you need them. Visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ to order the free test kits. 

There are  two different types of tests used for COVID-19. Diagnostic tests can show if you are currently infected with the virus. Antibody tests can detect if you have previously been infected with the virus.   Read about the Coronavirus Testing Basics from the FDA to learn about the tests. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information


CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENT WITH THE BREMER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT


Please visit Vaccine Finder to see what types of vaccine providers have in stock.

COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized by FDA are effective in preventing serious outcomes of COVID-19, including severe illness, hospitalization, and death. 

Persons of all ages who received a primary vaccine series are much less likely than unvaccinated persons to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to require hospitalization or die because of COVID-19. 

In most situations, Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for primary and booster vaccination. 

Primary Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccines for Adolescents & Adults:
Primary doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in Bremer County are available for persons 12 (Pfizer) or 18 years (Moderna and J&J) of age and older. 
-Pfizer and Moderna are two-dose series vaccines
-J&J is a one-dose vaccine

Primary Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccines for Children (ages 5-11):
A two-dose, Pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, is recommended for children 5-11 years of age under an Emergency Use Authorization.  This two-dose series is given at an interval 3 weeks (21 days) apart.


Third Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccines:
A third primary series dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is recommended for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised individuals.  
A third primary series dose of Pfizer is authorized for administration at least 28 days following the second dose for individuals 5 years of age and older who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. 
A third primary series dose of Moderna is authorized for administration at least one month following the second dose for individuals at least 18 years of age who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. 

Booster Doses for Pfizer or Moderna:
A single booster dose of Pfizer is recommended for individuals 12 years of age and older at least 5 months after completing the primary series. 
A single booster dose of Moderna is recommended for individuals 18 years of age and older at least 5 months after  completing the primary series. 
Children 5-11 years old are not recommended to get a booster dose at this time. 

Booster Dose for J&J:
People aged 18 years who received a single dose Janssen primary series (1 dose) are eligible to receive a booster dose at least 2 months after completing the primary series.

Mix and Match Use of COVID-19 Vaccines:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Mix and match dosing may be considered for the booster dose only.

For help with scheduling an appointment or transportation needs, please call the health department at 319-352-0082.

If you have general questions about the vaccine (unrelated to scheduling an appointment), call 319-352-0082.  Call your health care provider with more specific questions to see if it is safe for you to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) can be found here.  Common Myths and Facts regarding the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here. The Bremer County Health Department along with Waverly Health Center also created a COVID-19 Vaccine Forum answering the most commonly asked COVID-19 vaccine questions.  To view that forum, click here.

Requesting Immunization Records
Complete and submit an immunization record request form to the Iowa Department of Public Health Immunization Program.  Please follow all the instructions within the form, allowing 3-5 working days to process the record request.