BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare (IDHW) held its weekly virtual meeting to discuss COVID-19 in Idaho. During the meeting, Idaho health experts discussed vaccination, infection rates, and potential plans to vaccinate children aged 12-15.
IDHW Director Dave Jeppesen, Idaho State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn, Idaho Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Kathryn Turner, Public Health Administrator Elke Shaw-Tulloch and Idaho Immunization Program Manager Sarah Leeds offered remarks during the meeting.
The 14-day moving average of new COVID-19 cases is 15 per 100,000, the lowest it has been since Sept. 2020, according to Jeppesen. Over the last four weeks, the statewide positivity rate has stayed between 5-6%.
70.7% of Idahoans aged 65 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Statewide, 38.8% of residents have received at least one shot.
IDHW estimates about 57,590 first doses of the vaccine will be given this week, a decrease due to a shortage of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended Tuesday that vaccine providers should pause distribution of the vaccine in order to investigate rare blood clots reported in six women.
The six women, who are between the ages of 18-48, developed blood clots between 6-13 days after receiving the Janssen vaccine. One of the women died and another is in critical condition, according to the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
More than 6.8 million doses of the Janssen vaccine have been administered in the United States. 82,500 doses have been distributed in Idaho and 30,673 doses have been administered to Idahoans as of Tuesday morning, according to IDHW.
The state reviewed adverse events from the vaccine and found no severe reactions to the Janssen vaccine, according to Hahn.
Patients who scheduled appointments to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can contact their provider and request the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. If an individual has already received the Janssen vaccine, Hahn encourages them to be mindful of concerning symptoms, such as severe headache, shortness of breath/trouble breathing, and severe abdominal and leg pain.
- Pfizer applied for EUA for children 12-15, stated goal is to start vaccinations before next school year
IDHW echoed the recommendation from the CDC on Tuesday, stating Idahoans with appointments to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should reach out to their providers and seek the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
The department sent a notice of the pause to vaccine providers and Idaho Gov. Brad Little early Tuesday morning, according to Hahn.
While the Janssen vaccine is on hold for now, Hahn announced that Pfizer applied for emergency use authorization for children aged 12-15. Pfizer is currently the only vaccine approved for people aged 16-17, and they plan to begin vaccinating the 12-15 age group before the new school year begins.
Following the recommendation from the CDC and IDHW, Saint Alphonsus and St. Luke's released statements on the pause.
Saint Alphonsus said in part:
Trinity Health is committed to the safety of our patients, colleagues, physicians and communities. We are pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at our facilities out of an abundance of caution and as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
We are confident in the safety of the mRNA vaccines approved for emergency use authorization (EUA) and will continue to administer the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Vaccination remains our best hope for ending this pandemic.
St. Luke's said in part:
In alignment with CDC and FDA recommendations, St. Luke's is pausing on offering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
CDC/FDA recommended the pause as the agencies review six cases of a rare but severe type of blood clot (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) in women ages 18 to 48 who received the vaccine. As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of J&J have been administered.
St. Luke's only administers J&J on Thursdays, when it's available, at St. Luke's Plaza 4 in Boise. We will offer Moderna to patients who are scheduled for this Thursday, April 14. Those who receive Moderna will need to follow up in 28 days with a booster. We have open appointments in Boise and the Magic Valley for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines this week and next. It is important that people get vaccinated as soon as possible regardless of the vaccine brand.
To watch the briefing, click below: