COVID-19 vaccine now available to people 55 and older
Residents 55 years and older with a qualifying medical condition (Subgroup 3.1) are eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine now. Appointments released by Panhandle Health District this Wednesday, March 17, will be available to individuals 55 years and older regardless of medical conditions.
The move to further expand vaccine eligibility comes after an announcement by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), which outlined plans and associated timelines for Group 3. Group 3 focuses on specific age groups, giving a one-week-long priority to persons in a specified age group with a qualifying medical condition.
The following week opens vaccine to individuals in the specified age group, with no qualifying medical condition required. All previous phases are still eligible and encouraged to schedule an appointment if they have not already.
• Age 55-64 with at least one medical condition: Appointments available now for scheduling
• Age 55-64 general population: Appointments for the week of March 22 will be released this Wednesday, March 17, for this group to schedule
• Age 45-54 with at least one medical condition: Open by Monday, March 29
• Age 45-54 general population: Open by April 5
Different health districts within Idaho may choose to move through the various Group 3 Subgroups at different rates.
“Within Panhandle Health District’s jurisdiction, we will continue to work closely with enrolled vaccine providers to assess supply and demand and will make decisions accordingly. We do not want to be a barrier between those who are eligible and interested in gaining protection from the vaccine, so we will pace ourselves according to what we hear from our health care partners,” said Don Duffy, health services division administrator for PHD.
Making an appointment: Online or by phone
Many providers are still utilizing their own vaccine appointment scheduling tools, while others have shifted to using the state’s pre-registry vaccine tool where eligible individuals enter their name and contact information. From the pre-registry tool, providers pull names and directly connect with the person eligible for vaccine.
If you need help by phone with navigating the online appointment scheduling or do not have internet access, PHD’s call center can assist you. Call 877-415-5225 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Vaccine allocations
Weekly vaccine allocations to PHD’s jurisdiction continue to remain consistent. Next week will mark the 14th week of vaccines arriving in Idaho with an anticipated total of 6,400 Moderna and Pfizer doses that will go to enrolled vaccine providers in PHD’s jurisdiction. To date, 78,000 total vaccine doses have been allocated to PHD’s jurisdiction.
“We have vaccine clinics set up in each county we serve and encourage those that are eligible to schedule an appointment. If you are unsure if you are eligible, don’t hesitate to call us and ask,” Duffy said.
Enrolled vaccine provider’s for each health district can be found from the state’s Provider Transparency tab.
If you have questions about COVID-19 in our area, call PHD’s COVID-19 hotline Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 877-415-5225.