Residents in the Southwest Idaho Health District will no longer have access to COVID-19 vaccinations at District Health offices, following a contentious board vote Oct. 22, according to Boise Public Radio.
Here are five things to know:
- The Southwest District Health Board voted 4-3 to remove COVID-19 vaccines from its facilities after receiving around 300 public comments urging the removal. The decision was followed by anti-vaccine presentations from multiple doctors widely accused of spreading misinformation, the outlet reported.
- The decision sparked heated discussions among board members. Chair Kelly Aberasturi raised concerns about overriding medical professionals' recommendations stating, "It has to do with the right of the individual to make that decision on their own. Not for me to dictate to them what they will do."
- The health district has seen a dramatic drop in vaccination rates, with only 64 shots given in 2024 compared to 1,601 in 2021.
- The removal marks the first instance in the U.S. where a health department is restricted from offering the COVID-19 vaccine. Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, told AP News, "I'm not aware of anything else like this." She added that health departments have stopped offering the vaccine because of cost or low demand, not because of the medical product itself.
- COVID-19 vaccines remain accessible at commercial pharmacies and healthcare clinics unaffiliated with Southwest District Health.