In a first for the country, Idaho’s Southwest District Health Department has banned the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations. The regional health department covers six counties along the Idaho-Oregon border, including Adams, Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon and Owyhee counties.
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The department’s board voted 4-3 in favor of the ban on Oct. 22.
During a meeting, Southwest’s medical director testified the COVID-19 vaccine is necessary and requested that the board allow the health department to carry the product.
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Homeless individuals, homebound individuals, long-term care residents and people undergoing the immigration process all receive vaccinations at the health department.
“I’m not aware of anything else like this,” Adriane Casalotti, the chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials told The Associated Press.
She noted other health departments have stopped offering the vaccine due to cost or low demand, but not because of the quality of the medical product itself.
According to The Associated Press, COVID-19 vaccine demand has fallen dramatically in the six counties — from 1,601 doses in 2021 to just 64 in 2024.
State health officials report that COVID-19 vaccines are still available at community health centers for the uninsured.
[Lauren]
IN A FIRST IN THE COUNTRY, IDAHO’S SOUTHWEST DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BANNED GIVING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS.
THE REGIONAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENCOMPASSES 6 COUNTIES ALONG THE IDAHO-OREGON BORDER INCLUDING: ADAMS, WASHINGTON, PAYETTE, GEM, CANYON AND OWYHEE COUNTIES.
THE REGIONAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S BOARD VOTED 4-3 IN FAVOR OF THE BAN LATE LAST MONTH.
THE SOUTHWEST MEDICAL DIRECTOR TESTIFIED DURING A MEETING THAT THE COVID VACCINE IS NECESSARY AND SHE REQUESTED THAT THE BOARD ALLOW THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO CARRY THE PRODUCT.
INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING VACCINATIONS AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCLUDE THE HOMELESS, HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS, LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS, AND PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS.
“I’M NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING ELSE LIKE THIS,” THE CHIEF OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY AND CITY HEALTH OFFICIALS TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
SHE SAID OTHER HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE CEASED OFFERING THE VACCINE DUE TO COST OR LOW DEMAND, BUT NOT BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF THE MEDICAL PRODUCT ITSELF.
COVID VACCINE DEMAND HAS FALLEN DRAMATICALLY FOR THE SIX COUNTIES – FROM 1,601 DOSES IN 2021 TO JUST 64 IN 2024, ACCORDING TO THE AP.
STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT THAT COVID VACCINES ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS FOR THE UNINSURED.
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