A Regional Idaho Health Department Banned From Administering COVID-19 Vaccines

November 7, 2024

Idaho Southwest District Health reportedly is the first health department in the United States to be restricted from giving COVID-19 vaccines. Normally, vaccinations are an essential function of a public health department.

A narrow decision by its board forbids the regional public health department from providing vaccines in six Idaho counties, even though Dr. Perry Jansen, Idaho Southwest District Health medical director, testified to the necessity of offering the vaccine.

Idaho state health officials also said they “recommend that people consider the COVID-19 vaccine,” and noted that COVID-19 vaccines are still available at community health centers for people who are uninsured.

In correlation, Idaho also has the highest childhood vaccination exemption rate in the U.S. Last year, the Southwest District Health Department rushed to contain a rare measles outbreak in the region that sickened 10 unvaccinated people.

Latest Articles

Hire Smarter to Win the Talent Battle
October 20, 2025 Archie Heinl

Hire Smarter to Win the Talent Battle

October 16, 2025 Jeff Cross

Is Your Client Pipeline Clogged?

October 15, 2025

Stop Leaks Before They Drain Your Budget

Sponsored Articles

Stop Leaks Before They Drain Your Budget
October 15, 2025

Stop Leaks Before They Drain Your Budget

October 15, 2025 Sponsored by Novonesis

Beyond the Scrub: How Enzymes Are Shaping the Future of Medical Device Cleaning

October 14, 2025 Sponsored by Tennant

Budget Friendly, Worker Ready: The Tennant T360 Advantage

Recent News

International Infection Prevention

International Infection Prevention Week Kicks Off

First Locally Acquired Case of Chikungunya in New York State

How the Government Shutdown Impacts Commercial Buildings