Southwest Montana News

Governor Greg Gianforte announced the redirection of 19,500 unused COVID-19 vaccine doses to vulnerable Montanans after receiving federal approval. He emphasized the importance of using every available dose efficiently. "Every dose Montana receives is critical, which is why I promised you in my first week in office that we wouldn’t let vaccines sit on shelves. Today, we’re following through on that promise," said Governor Gianforte.

The doses were initially allocated to CVS and Walgreens by the federal government for vaccinating residents and staff in long-term care and assisted living facilities. This move will allow nearly 10,000 additional Montanans in Phase 1B to be fully vaccinated.

Governor Gianforte stated that these doses would soon be distributed to hospitals throughout Montana. The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) will collaborate with local partners and hospitals to establish community clinics aimed at vaccinating as many people as possible.

Details about the timing and locations of these clinics will be shared as they become available.

Montana transitioned into Phase 1B of its vaccine distribution plan on January 19, targeting the most vulnerable populations. This phase includes individuals aged 70 years or older, those aged 16 years or older with high-risk medical conditions, and Native Americans along with other persons of color who might face higher risks from COVID-19 complications.