St. Alphonsus Health and St. Luke’s Health launched mobile vaccines to reach more people as demand for COVID-19 vaccines fades.
BOISE, Idaho – The number of vaccines administered in Idaho continues to decline, with new numbers showing that supply is also falling. As demand falls, medical providers in Gem State are finding new ways to ensure that every dose is used and gets to the community.
“It’s definitely a team effort,” said Carlos Alcazar, the private secretary of the Mexican consul Ricardo Gerado Higuera.
The Mexican Consulate in Boise works with the Hispanic community in Treasure Valley. As part of this work, Higuera and the consulate have seen the need for further COVID-19 vaccine efforts for the people they serve.
“We know how our Mexican nationals are doing, they are work-oriented,” said Alcazar. “I don’t want to say that they would much rather work, but they do.” The second challenge would be commuting. They usually work outside of the cities or places that have vaccines. “
The Hispanic population isn’t the only group struggling to buy time or access the vaccine. Medical providers in Treasure Valley are finding that senior housing, homeless shelters, other color communities across the state, and other groups also have limited access to the vaccine.
“We find our clinics are still being used, but we are learning about people who may be reluctant to make an appointment or who may have difficulty making an appointment,” said Scott Milner, Senior Director of Pharmacy at St. Luke’s Health System.
Data from the Idaho Department of Health and Social AffairsThe number of vaccines administered in the state has decreased in each of the past three weeks. About 95,000 vaccines were administered in Idaho in the week of April 4th. Since then, the number of doses has dropped by at least 10,000 each week. Last week, IDHW reported that Idahoans were only given 51,000 doses.
“I think we’ve had people who really really wanted it, for the most part, taken their chance in the last few months,” Milner said with enough validity that it is safe and effective. ”
Medical groups create resources focused on reaching and making more convenient to those whose access to the vaccine is limited.
Providers like St. Alphonsus Health and St. Luke’s Health have introduced mobile vaccine units to travel around the state and provide more accessible vaccination sites. St. Luke’s mobile units can also be reserved by companies and organizations To organize vaccination events.
“We hope people see that these work,” said Milner.
The Mexican Consulate believes that traveling to various locations, whether it be a rural part of the state or just a company parking lot, is the next best step in the vaccination effort. With the help of St. Luke’s, the consulate is holding a vaccination event in front of its building on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“People can come in and get their documents and get vaccinated at the same time,” said Alcazar.
