At Least 77 Iowa Inmates Given Overdoses of COVID-19

 KHQA reports that at least 77 Iowa inmates given overdoses of COVID-19 vaccine and are being “closely monitored by medical staff,” prison officials say.

This is a developing story.

UPDATE 1

From the Des Moines Register:

The incident happened Tuesday at the maximum-security prison at Fort Madison, according to Cord Overton, a spokesperson for the department. 

"The large majority of inmates continue to have very minor symptoms consistent with those that receive the recommended dose of the vaccine," he wrote in an email to the Register. "These include sore arm, body aches, and one inmate has experienced a low-grade fever, which was treatable with Tylenol."

Overton said early reports indicated the inmates were given up to six times the standard dose of the vaccine.

UPDATE 2

Two nursing staff members, who allegedly administered the vaccine to the 77 inmates, have been placed on leave "pending the outcome of the investigation," Overton said.

UPDATE 3

Kimberly Koehlhoeffer said her son and other inmates experienced symptoms that include nausea, lack of appetite, severe bruising at injection site, and severe dehydration.

UPDATE 4

For now, administration of COVID-19 vaccines have been halted in the prison, Overton said.

 -RW