(Radio Iowa) – Local health officials in Iowa say they’re encouraged by new recommendations for the COVID-19 shot passed by a federal panel. The C-D-C recommends the shot for most adults and advises parents to talk to their child’s doctor about the vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to weaken that recommendation, instead saying people should consult with their doctor about the shot’s risks and benefits. Juliann Van Liew, director of the Polk County Health Department, says the new recommendations are less restrictive than anticipated.

Initial reports indicated COVID shots would be much more difficult to access this fall, but Van Liew believes the vaccines will still be widely accessible to those who want them.

According to state data, only 15-percent of Iowans received a COVID shot last year. The CDC director needs to sign off on the panel’s recommendations before they can go into effect.