Idaho is weeks into vaccine distribution rollout, and according to the Department of Health and Welfare, 71% of the doses administered to the state have been distributed.
"We're starting to reach a point now that the number of doses administered is now higher than the number of cases we have in the state," DWH director Dave Jeppesen said.
Large health systems, St. Lukes and Saint Alphonsus, have both been distributing doses quickly.
St. Lukes has distributed 95% of the doses given to the health system, and Saint Alphonsus has distributed 98% of doses administered according to the new transparency data dashboard Gov. Brad Little and the DHW launched. The dashboard shows how many doses have been administered among health providers.
"We want to get this data out for a lot of reasons. For your sake and also, so the people of Idaho know where the vaccine is and how it's available," Little said.
According to Jeppesen, 91% of first doses and 41% of second doses of the vaccine Idaho has received have been administered.
"There's less than one weeks' worth of inventory in the state right now, so the providers are doing a great job getting those first doses out within seven days, which is our goal," Jeppesen said.
Over 62,500 Idahoans 65 and older have gotten the first dose, and there are about 290,000 people in the age group, including those in long term care facilities. So, 21% of people ages 65 and older in Idaho have gotten a dose.
"We do want to remind those both the general public and those 65 and older than we are receiving about 25 thousand first doses a week, which means it will take several months for us to get completely through this group, and we continue to ask for your patience. Everyone 65 and older who wants the vaccine will be able to do so," Jeppesen said.
DHW encourages those looking for a vaccine to contact their local public health district for more specific vaccine information in their area.
Some Idaho Walmarts to begin administering vaccines
With more Idahoans eligible for the vaccine, Walmart pharmacies will begin administering the vaccine at several Idaho locations.
The U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which Walmart is a part of, will begin Feb. 12 for those eligible, with appointments available online.
Locations included in the program across Idaho are:
- 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 RD, NAMPA, ID 83687
- Walmart #1878: 1450 NORTH 2ND EAST, REXBURG, ID 83440
- Walmart #4249: 583 COMMERCE DRIVE, SMELTERVILLE, ID 83868
- Walmart #3897: 252 CHENEY DR W, TWIN FALLS, ID 83301
