State officials have launched a new P-R campaign to encourage more Iowans to get a Covid-19 shot. Two ads are running on radio, T-V and online. One features scenes of summer activities and a message targeted at pre-teens, teenagers and young adults who are now eligible for the vaccine.  The other ad features the Iowa National Guard’s leader. Adjutant General Ben Corell got Covid in November and had to be hospitalized for a full week.

Iowa Department of Public Health director Kelly Garcia says as vaccine eligibility expands to young Iowans, it’s important to reach more diverse groups, including teens and their parents or guardians. In a written statement, Governor Reynolds said getting a Covid shot is a personal decision unique to every individual and the goal of this campaign is to communicate how Iowans can benefit from getting vaccinated. Reynolds was vaccinated on live TV in early March with the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.