A health department in Idaho that covers six counties just became the first in the U.S. to stop providing COVID-19 vaccines. The Southwest District Health (SDH) board voted 4-3 on October 22, 2024, to pull the vaccines from their offices. This decision came after the board got about 300 comments from the public against the vaccines and listened to anti-vaccine talks by a few doctors.

According to Boise State Public Radio (BSPR), this is the first time a health department has taken such a step. Adriane Casalotti from the National Association of County and City Health Officials said she hadn’t seen any other health departments doing this.

Dr. Perry Jansen, a physician for the district, disagreed with the board’s choice. He argued that SDH is supposed to help people who can’t afford regular health care. Dr. Jansen explained that SDH offers free and reduced-cost services to those without access to private doctors, including vaccinations. He said they weren’t blindly giving shots but trying to have thoughtful discussions about the risks and benefits with patients. Jansen believes that the patient should be given a choice in the matter and that the vaccine should still remain available.

Several doctors who oppose COVID-19 vaccines spoke at the meeting, including Dr. Peter McCullough, Dr. Renata Moon, Dr. James A. Thorp, and Dr. Ryan Cole. These doctors have faced issues with health authorities over their vaccine stances.

Dr. John Tribble, the only physician on the board, invited the speakers. He voiced concerns that patients put their trust in the board and that the board might be ignoring vaccine risks. Meanwhile, board chair Kelly Aberasturi questioned if they even had the right to deny vaccines to people who were referred by their own doctors.

The demand for COVID-19 vaccines has dropped significantly across the six counties served by SDH, going from 1,601 in 2021 to just 64 in 2024. While SDH isn’t offering free vaccines anymore, they’re still affordable, just no longer subsidized by the health district.