Vaccine eligibility expands next week

In an effort to further protect residents most vulnerable to the coronavirus, Gov. Greg Gianforte expanded the list of people eligible for a vaccine this week.

During a March 2 press conference, the governor said Montana would enter Phase 1B+ starting March 8. Under this stage, vaccines will be available to residents who are 60 years and older or are between 16 and 59 years old with qualifying medical conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis and liver disease.

“With this expansion, we are prioritizing the population groups that account for nearly 90 percent of Montana’s total deaths and more than 70 percent of Montana’s hospitalization during this pandemic,” Gianforte said.

As of March 3, healthcare workers had administered 269,222 doses throughout the state, according to the Department of Public Health and Human Services. In Lincoln County, officials had given out 3,595 shots and fully immunized 918 people.

By the end of the week, the governor said Montana would receive a supply of 8,700 doses of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Feb. 27, only requires one dose for immunization.

Currently, the state is in Phase 1B, which covers residents who are over the age of 70, have high-risk medical conditions or are part of minority groups like American Indians.