BOISE, Idaho — As summer approaches, Idaho health officials are worried about a trend that shows less people across the state are getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
"We've seen the overall doses administered continue to decline over the past two weeks," Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen said. However, the number of first doses has increased during the first two weeks."
Jeppesen spoke with reporters Tuesday afternoon during a question and answer session about how Idaho is progressing in the battle to control the coronavirus and getting shots in arms.
One of the biggest concerns is getting younger Idahoans vaccinated. Right now, the only option for 12-15 year-olds in the Pfizer vaccine. Getting the vaccine into rural areas continues to be a challenge.
"The challenge of the Pfizer vaccine has been that you have to have, of course, a specialty freezer," said state epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn. "You have to hold very large quantities at one because the trays, right now, the dose, I think is 1,175 doses, and you know not everyone feels like they can use that many, so they come in just very large amounts."
Hahn says some Idaho communities did not have the Pfizer vaccine available and people had to drive a ways to get. She said local health districts are working hard to do everything they can to make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated.
Some have been wondering about incentives to get vaccinated. Other states like Oregon are offering lottery prizes and giveaways to people who get a shot. That question was put to Idaho officials Tuesday.
"I will say at the state level we are looking at everything we can to incentivize people and encourage people to get the vaccine, so I would say nothing is off the table," said Public Health Administrator Elke Shaw-Tulloch.
When the vaccine was first made available to younger Idahoans ages 12-15 there was an initial uptick in children get vaccinated.
"We saw a little burst of enthusiastic parents and you know, we are already seeing some declines and we're very worried with school about to let out, and you know getting vaccines is the last thing on anybody's mind when it's summer, and we're very concerned that people will lose their interest in this, and we have a lot of work to do before school starts," Dr. Hahn said.
"We encourage parents to strongly consider choosing to vaccinate your children 12 years and older," Jeppesen said. "Doing so before school starts in the fall will greatly increase the chances that school can return to normal."