CDHD Announces Major Changes to Immunizations Program

Today the Central District Health Department (CDHD) is announcing a major restructuring of its Immunizations program. Effective March 1st, CDHD will no longer be offering Adult or Travel immunizations. The change is a direct result of the budget hold-backs of the current fiscal year and the anticipated budget reductions in the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1st.

“Over the past few months the health district has been reevaluating all of its program areas in light of our reduced revenue situation,” said Russell Duke, Director of CDHD. “We asked ourselves two questions: Is the program a core public health service? And, is the service available somewhere else? While disease prevention is certainly core to our public health goals, these two programs serve populations who can be effectively served elsewhere.”

The decision to shift adult and travel vaccinations to other providers was based, at least in part, on the fact that the majority of these clients have medical insurance, a primary physician and/or the means to pay for the immunizations themselves. For those without insurance, a medical home, or of very low income who cannot access needed adult immunizations elsewhere, CDHD will continue to provide the service, or make appropriate referrals. Included in the group continuing to receive services are refugees, and some clients of the CDHD Reproductive Health program.

The most immediate effect of the changes will be on residents of Ada County, where CDHD has identified St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centers as providers of travel vaccinations, and more providers may soon follow. Some CDHD clients are already being referred to these medical facilities, especially if they have an immunization series that may require visits beyond March 1st. Those seeking routine adult vaccinations are being encouraged to contact their primary care physicians.

Meanwhile, CDHD will maintain an inventory of the most commonly needed adult vaccines until it is confident that an adequate number of alternative providers are available. This is especially true for clients accustomed to visiting the satellite offices of CDHD in McCall and Mountain Home, where CDHD is in the process of identifying alternative providers of adult vaccinations. Residents of Valley, Boise and Elmore counties in need of international travel immunizations will have to seek those services in Ada County.

The reduction in services has already resulted in a workforce reduction. Seven full- and part-time employees have been laid off and four staff members are now working fewer hours.

“We are always reluctant to have to lay off staff,” said Russ Duke. “But the budget situation has forced our hand. We are assisting these staff to the extent we can with out-placement services.”

For information on Saint Alphonsus adult and travel immunizations services please call 367-DOCS (3627).

For information on St. Luke’s travel immunizations please call 706-7200. For information on St. Luke’s adult vaccinations please call 381-9000.