Six Idaho counties will no longer offer the COVID-19 vaccine after a regional health department board banned it.
In a 4-3 decision, Southwest District Health — which covers several counties, including three in the Boise metropolitan area — decided to ban the controversial vaccine, despite concerns from state health officials.
The board made the decision after reviewing presentations from multiple doctors accused of spreading conspiracy theories, including Dr. Peter McCollough, a cardiologist whose license was threatened in 2022 by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
They also heard from pathologist Dr. Ryan Cole of Idaho; Dr. Renata Moon, who questioned vaccines before the Senate; and dr. James Thorp, who appeared in the documentary Died Suddenly, which has since been debunked, according to Boise State Public Radio.
They were invited to speak by the only physician on the board, Dr. John Tribble.
The board also received more than 290 public comments, many of which called for an end to vaccine mandates or taxpayer funding of the vaccines, neither of which are happening in the district.
In a 4-3 decision, Southwest District Health — which covers several counties, including three in the Boise metropolitan area — decided to ban the controversial vaccine, despite concerns from state health officials.
The board made the decision after reviewing presentations from several doctors accused of spreading conspiracy theories, including Dr. Peter McCollough, a cardiologist whose license was threatened. The speakers were invited by Dr. John Tribble (photo)
Dr. Perry Jansen, who works in the district, advocated for the vaccine and its safety, saying, “Our request from the board is that we can transport and offer those vaccines [vaccines]recognizing that we are always having discussions about risks and benefits.
‘This is not a blind approach where everyone gets a chance. This is a well-thought-out approach.’
Board Chairman Kelly Aberasturi also expressed disappointment in the decision, but said he supported it.
He said the administration had overstepped the relationship between patients and their doctors — and potentially opened the door to blocking other vaccines or treatments.
‘So now you’re telling me I have the right to overrule that doctor? Because I know more than he does?’ he said, according to Boise State Public Radio.
‘It has to do with the right of the individual to make that decision for themselves. It’s not up to me to dictate to them what they will do. Sorry, but this pisses me off.”
Fellow board member Jennifer Riebe agreed with Aberasturi’s concerns that it won’t just stop at the COVID-19 vaccine and that it could come down to the board making decisions on each vaccine.
“I’m not comfortable with that,” she said, according to Boise State Public Radio. “Maybe it’s COVID now, maybe we’re going down the same path with the measles vaccine or shingles coverage.”
Board members in favor of the decision argued that people can get vaccinated elsewhere, and that providing the shots was tantamount to signing off on their safety.
Some may be reluctant to get vaccinated or boosted because of misinformation about the shots, despite evidence that they are safe and have saved millions of lives.
Dr. Perry Jansen (left), who works in the district, advocated for the vaccine and its safety. And board chairman Kelly Aberasturi (right) also expressed disappointment with the decision. He said the administration had overstepped the relationship between patients and their doctors
The people getting vaccinated at the health department — including people without housing, people who are homebound and people in long-term care facilities or in the immigration process — had no other options, Jansen and Aberasturi said.
“I’ve been homeless all my life, so I understand how difficult it can be when you’re trying to make ends meet and get ahead,” Aberasturi told AP. “This is where we need to step in and help.
“But there are board members who have never been there, so they don’t understand what it’s like.”
State health officials have said they are “recommending people consider the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Idaho Health Department spokesman AJ McWhorter declined to comment on “public health district matters” to AP but noted that COVID-19 vaccines are still available at community health centers for people who are uninsured.
Aberasturi said he plans to ask at the next board meeting whether the health department can at least vaccinate older patients and residents of long-term care facilities.
State health officials have said they are “recommending people consider the COVID-19 vaccine.” The vaccines will still be available at community health centers for people who are uninsured
He believes that the board should take care of the ‘health and well-being’ of the residents of the neighborhood.
“I believe the way we handled this is we didn’t do any due diligence,” he told AP.
Aberasturi said he plans to ask at the next board meeting whether the health department can at least vaccinate older patients and residents of long-term care facilities.
He believes that the board should take care of the ‘health and well-being’ of the residents of the neighborhood.
“I believe the way we handled this is we didn’t do any due diligence,” he told AP.