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How to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Idaho

The state is working with local health care providers to get more vaccine out to the public.

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BOISE, Idaho — Editor's note: On February 1, St. Luke's and Saint Alphonsus were out of vaccine appointments as eligibility expanded to those over age 65. 

We continue to get a lot of phone calls into the KTVB newsroom from people wanting to know when and where they can get the COVID-19 vaccine in Idaho.

Many of those calls are coming from senior citizens after Gov. Brad Little announced that residents 65 and older have been moved up in the priority groups and can start getting vaccinated in February. Many can start making those appointments on Monday, Feb. 1, although providers say they filled up on the appointments early Feb. 1.  

The governor accepted the Idaho COVID-19 Advisory Committee’s recommendation to open up the next phase of vaccine rollout to teachers, frontline workers, and Idahoans aged 65 and over. There are around 290,000 seniors over 65 in the state including those in long-term care facilities.

Little said he will prioritize pre-K-12 teachers and school staff, first responders (firefighters/police), and some other frontline workers before making doses available to the 65-and-up population. Others in that group include daycare (childcare) workers and correctional and detention facility staff not already included as healthcare personnel.

RELATED: St. Luke’s, Saint Alphonsus, public health districts to start taking COVID-19 vaccine appointments

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen said Tuesday that Idaho is now getting around 25,000 COVID-19 vaccine per week from the federal government. That's up from previous weeks. And starting on Thursday, Idaho will be getting around 5,000 additional doses of the Moderna vaccine as part of a second federal retail pharmacy partnership. Those doses are going to Albertsons and Walmart pharmacies on Thursday, Feb. 11.

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Walmart sent out a news release Tuesday afternoon announcing its plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccines in Idaho starting on Friday, Feb. 12.

Eligible customers can schedule a vaccine appointment via the Walmart website once appointments are available. Vaccines will be available to those who meet the current phase of vaccine eligibility in Idaho.

Vaccinations are available at the following Idaho Walmart locations:

•Walmart #1900: 385 N. Overland Ave, Burley, ID 83318
•Walmart #2780: 5108 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID 83607
•Walmart #1995: 4240 Yellowstone Ave, Chubbuck, ID 83202
•Walmart #2831: 2680 S. Lincoln Ave, Jerome, ID 83338
•Walmart #5869: 2470 West Pullman Road 2, Moscow, ID 83843
•Walmart #2782: 2745 American Legion Blvd, Mountain Home, ID 83647
•Walmart #3739: 5875 E. Franklin Road, Nampa, ID 83687
•Walmart #1878: 1450 North 2nd East, Rexburg, ID 83440
•Walmart #4249: 583 Commerce Drive, Smelterville, ID 83868
•Walmart #3897: 252 Cheney Drive W, Twin Falls, ID 83301

As of Feb. 9, there have been 195,534 doses of the vaccine administered statewide, according to the state’s coronavirus website. So far, 116,094 people have received only one dose, while 39,720 people have received both doses.

Starting in mid-February these groups of workers will be eligible to receive the vaccine:

  • Food and agriculture workers 
  • Food processing workers 
  • USDA processing plant inspectors
  • Grocery, convenience store, and food pantry workers
  • Idaho National Guard not already included as healthcare personnel
  • Manufacturing workers
  • Public transit workers
  • U.S. Postal Service workers

Beginning in March, other essential workers not included in previous groups and people aged 16-64 years with high-risk medical conditions can get vaccinated.

And the final phase is scheduled to start in May when the vaccine will be available to the general public, all those 16 years and older. 

The timeline for when a person can get the vaccine in Idaho is posted on coronavirus.idaho.gov.

Where to go to get vaccinated

Idahoans are encouraged to contact their local public health district for information about where to access a vaccination.

Currently, weekly vaccine allotments are going to major health systems and pharmacies in Central District Health and Southwest District Health regions. Both health districts maintain a list of enrolled vaccine providers on their websites with instructions on how to make an appointment. 

The following list of enrolled vaccine providers includes those currently receiving vaccine allocations. There are a number of other enrolled vaccine providers in our community not yet receiving allocations at this time.

However, as vaccine supply increases, CDH will begin allocating doses to those providers. This list will be updated as changes occur.

Here is the enrolled provider list for SWDH:

If you live in Ada, Elmore, Boise or Valley counties, Central District Health is working with community partners to reach out to those eligible for the vaccine. You must make an appointment to get a shot. 

For those who are currently eligible to get the vaccine, CDH is asking everyone to make only one appointment to receive their first injection. 'Double-booking,' or making multiple appointments with different care providers, will create unnecessary waste and holdups in a system already limited by the number of doses available.

CHD is advising people 65 and older that they do not have a waitlist for the vaccine. People interested in getting a shot should contact their primary care provider. If that provider is not an enrolled vaccinator, they will provide you with a list of enrolled vaccine providers.

If you have questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, the state is constantly updating its coronavirus website. You can go there for a list of frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

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