### Anti-Vaccine Sentiment Halts COVID-19 Vaccinations in Idaho Health District
In a contentious move, the Southwest District Health Board in Idaho has decided to cease the administration of COVID-19 vaccines at public health clinics. The decision, which narrowly passed with a vote of 4–3, followed a hearing overflowing with false information and conspiracy theories regarding the vaccines. This action underscores the escalating sway of anti-vaccine attitudes in the U.S., which has already resulted in falling vaccination rates and heightened threats of avoidable disease outbreaks.
#### The Decision and Its Impact
The Southwest District Health caters to over 300,000 individuals across five counties, providing affordable healthcare services, including vaccinations, on a sliding scale. The district has functioned as a “safety-net provider,” especially for individuals lacking insurance, by offering low-cost COVID-19 vaccines. Despite these advantages, the board’s ruling means residents will now need to depend on private healthcare providers and pharmacies for their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Dr. Perry Jansen, the district’s medical director, was the sole individual during the hearing who pushed for the continuation of COVID-19 vaccinations at public health clinics. He asserted that the vaccines are both safe and effective, as corroborated by major health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Jansen also mentioned that the district’s clinics do not utilize taxpayer money to acquire or administer the vaccines, as patients either pay via insurance or out-of-pocket.
Nevertheless, these facts were eclipsed by the loud opposition fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories. The hearing included presentations from several notable anti-vaccine advocates, including Ryan Cole, Peter McCullough, and James Thorp, all of whom have been largely discredited by the medical community for disseminating false narratives about COVID-19 vaccines.
#### The Spread of Dangerous Misinformation
The hearing was characterized by an outpouring of anti-vaccine rhetoric, as numerous speakers falsely asserted that COVID-19 vaccines pose dangers. Ryan Cole, a pathologist whose medical license faced restrictions in Washington state for spreading COVID-19 disinformation, falsely stated that mRNA vaccines lead to cancer and autoimmune disorders. Peter McCullough, a cardiologist from Texas, propagated conspiracy theories suggesting that the pandemic was orchestrated and that medical authorities were withholding treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, despite significant evidence refuting such claims.
James Thorp, a gynecologist from Florida, incorrectly claimed that COVID-19 vaccines are perilous for pregnant women, a statement that has been disproven by various studies. Another participant, Renata Moon, a pediatrician from Washington who gave up her medical license after spreading COVID-19 misinformation, also added to the anti-vaccine narrative.
The public commentary was equally disconcerting, with many echoing these erroneous assertions. Some participants labeled COVID-19 vaccines as “poison” or a “bioweapon,” while others called for a complete ban on vaccinations, extending beyond just COVID-19 shots. The rhetoric resonated with the positions of prominent anti-vaccine organizations like the Children’s Health Defense, headed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
#### A Slippery Slope
Board member Jennifer Riebe, opposing the halt on COVID-19 vaccine offerings, voiced apprehensions about the larger ramifications of the vote. She cautioned that the board’s ruling could establish a perilous precedent for other vaccinations. “It may be COVID now, but perhaps we will encounter the same issues with the measles vaccine or shingles vaccine coverage,” Riebe remarked.
Board Chair Kelly Aberasturi, who also voted to maintain the availability of vaccines, contended that the matter should rest with individuals and their healthcare providers. He expressed annoyance that the board was overriding medical professionals who sometimes send patients to the district for COVID-19 vaccinations. “So now, you’re implying that I have the authority to contradict that doctor? Because I possess more knowledge than he does?” Aberasturi questioned.
#### Idaho’s Struggles with Vaccination Rates
The situation in Southwest Idaho mirrors a wider trend in the state, which has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation. As per the CDC, Idaho’s rates for essential immunizations among kindergarteners, such as measles, mumps, and rubella, hover around 79 to 80 percent, significantly below the 95 percent benchmark necessary to avert widespread outbreaks of vaccine-preventable ailments. Idaho also holds the highest vaccination exemption rate in the U.S., with 14.3 percent of children exempt from vaccinations.
Even if Idaho succeeded in vaccinating all non-exempt children, it would still fall short of the 95 percent goal, achieving only 85.7 percent coverage. This leaves the state susceptible to outbreaks of diseases like measles, which can spread quickly in populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
#### Conclusion
The choice made by the Southwest District Health Board to discontinue COVID-19 vaccinations serves as a stark reminder of the hazards posed by misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiments. While residents may still access vaccines through private providers, the removal
