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.
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.
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.
