
Robert Wenck, 72, got a COVID-19 booster shot at the Iowa State Fair earlier this week. Photo courtesy of Katie Akin/Iowa Capital Dispatch
There's not too much foot traffic over at the Iowa State Fair's COVID-19 vaccine booth.
- Axios reviewed the Hy-Vee pharmacy booth's attendance and vaccine numbers, and found that few people are getting their shots.
Why it matters: Just over half (51%) of Iowans have been fully vaccinated, according to The New York Times.
By the numbers: As of Sunday, 150 people had been vaccinated at Hy-Vee's booth.
- That equals less than .07% of the nearly 216,000 fair attendees from Friday through Sunday, the first three days the vaccines were offered.
What they're saying: A Hy-Vee nurse stated the obvious to the Iowa Capital Dispatch Tuesday, "We're not really changing a lot of minds."
Yes, but: They are reaching people.
- Otley resident Arlan DeHeer, 61, got his first dose at the fair Tuesday.
- "My arm was kind of twisted a little bit" by my family, DeHeer told the Dispatch.
Of note: Free COVID-19 vaccinations are part of multiple other state fairs this year, the AP reports.
- In Wisconsin, 608 people were vaccinated during the fair's 11-day run.
- At the ongoing Illinois and Indiana fairs, 156 and 304 people, respectively, had been vaccinated, as of Monday.
- Minnesota will offer shots when the fair starts Aug. 26.
๐ Get yours: COVID-19 vaccinations are available at the Iowa State Fair daily from 10am-6pm. Hy-Vee's booth (#40050) is located between the Grand Avenue gate and the Elwell Family Food Center.
- It's free and no appointments are needed.
- Boosters are also available.

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