Idaho Health Department Bans COVID Vaccines, Ignoring Opposition from Its Top Doctor

Despite a top doctor arguing against it, a health department in Idaho went ahead and voted to effectively ban providing COVID-19 vaccines, making it the first to do so in the nation.

Southwest District Health's board voted 4-3 in favor of the ban on Oct. 22 after more than 290 appeals were made to end vaccine mandates and taxpayers funding of the vaccines, despite that not being the case in the district, according to The Associated Press.

Dr. Perry Jansen, a provider at Southwest District Health, attended the meeting to discourage members from voting for the ban.

"Our request of the board is that we would be able to carry and offer those (vaccines), recognizing that we always have these discussions of risks and benefits," Dr. Jansen said, according to AP. "This is not a blind, everybody-gets-a-shot approach. This is a thoughtful approach."

The board's chairman, Kelly Aberasturi, said he is skeptical of both COVID-19 vaccines and national public health leaders, but was ultimately "disappointed" by the board's decision as it could potentially set a precedent for blocking future vaccines and treatments.

He added that many of the people getting vaccinated at the health department are from vulnerable social groups, including people who are unhoused or homebound, and they usually don't have other options.

"I've been homeless in my lifetime, so I understand how difficult it can be when you're ... trying to get by and get ahead," Aberasturi told AP. "This is where we should be stepping in and helping. But we have some board members who have never been there, so they don't understand what it's like."

He added that he will ask the board if the health department can vaccinate older patients and residents at long-term care facilities since their purpose is the "health and well-being" of local residents.