COVID-19 scheduling tool coming soon

Governor Brad Little receives his COVID-19 vaccine

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen announced Tuesday that a statewide scheduling program for the COVID-19 vaccine will premier next month. If enrolled in this program, Idahoans will receive notifications from vaccine providers when appointments are available. This aims to eliminate the need for Idahoans to constantly contact their local providers for information on when they can receive a vaccination. The Department hopes to have this program operational by early March. Currently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a Vaccine Finder you can access to find providers and availability near you.

Jeppesen also announced that proof of Idaho residency or proof that a person works in the state is now required before they can receive a vaccine from Idaho. Being the fifth-best state in the nation for shot delivery efficiency and vaccine distribution has made Idaho an attractive location for out-of-staters. Over 4,800 people who did not live or work in Idaho received an Idaho vaccine as of this week, which poses a logistical problem when vaccines are distributed to states based on their in-state population numbers. Jeppesen explained that this new requirement is meant to help Idahoans who want the vaccine to get it quickly.