FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Availability of monoclonal antibody treatment expands to North Nampa; vaccines continue to be best defense against COVID-19

CALDWELL, IDAHO – Starting December 1, 2021, a Saltzer Health urgent care clinic in Nampa will begin offering COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment. The treatment is available by appointment only, seven days a week at the Saltzer North Nampa clinic, 9850 W. St. Luke’s Drive. Patients must be referred by a health care provider. Treatments are given at no cost to the patient, and health insurance isn’t required.

While the vaccine continues to be the most effective method for preventing hospitalizations from COVID-19, monoclonal antibody (mAB) treatment could benefit Idahoans who have tested positive for the virus and are at risk for developing serious illness. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment has been shown to significantly reduce hospitalization and death from COVID-19 if administered within 10 days of symptom onset to those who are considered at high risk for developing severe illness. The treatment is given as an IV infusion over 20 minutes, followed by a 1-hour observation period.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is recommended for people age 12 years and older who are at risk of progressing to severe disease or hospitalization due to COVID-19. Risk factors may include age (64 years or older), obesity; pregnancy; chronic kidney disease; diabetes; chronic lung disease; immunosuppressive disease; cardiovascular disease.

“While this treatment is not meant to replace vaccinations to prevent COVID, it has been proven as an effective treatment for COVID-infected patients to decrease hospitalization and death,” said Dr. John Kaiser, chief medical officer at Saltzer Health, an Intermountain Healthcare company.

The treatment is authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration. Clinical trials showed monoclonal antibodies could reduce hospitalizations and deaths by 70%.

“Monoclonal antibody treatment will allow us to help people avoid hospitalization and reduce the disease burden in our community,” he said. “Saltzer Health is pleased to be able to minimize the impact of COVID on vulnerable patients and their families.”

The Saltzer Health mAb treatment center is operated under a contract with the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare. A provider referral is required to receive treatment. Those without a primary care provider can contact Saltzer Health for an appointment at 208-463-3000.

For those interested in getting vaccinated against COVID-19, please note that only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for emergency use (EUA) for those ages 5-16 and fully licensed for ages 16 and older. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are both authorized for emergency use in those 18-years and older. The CDC recommends all people 5 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, with booster shots recommended for eligible adults age 18 and older.

Making a COVID-19 vaccine appointment

Whether it’s your first dose, second dose, or booster dose, if you would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19, please call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411. To find a pediatric vaccination location near you, contact your child’s pediatrician, your family doctor, Southwest District Health, or visit Vaccines.gov.

Inquiries about the SWDH mobile vaccination team available free of charge to businesses or events within SWDH’s jurisdiction can be directed to the SWDH COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (MST) except for observed holidays.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources

• For more information about pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, speak with your child’s pediatrician or visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html
• COVID-19 Vaccine Locator https://vaccines.gov
• SWDH COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage https://swdh.id.gov/covid19/#Vaccine

# # #

Southwest District Health Media Contacts:

Ashley Anderson    Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov

Katrina Williams     Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

Saltzer Health Media Contact:

Amy Stahl   ABStahl@SaltzerHealth.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Idaho public health officials confirm first COVID-19 child death

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) and Southwest District Health (SWDH) have confirmed the first death of an Idaho child due to COVID-19. The child was an infant and died in October.

To protect the privacy of the child’s grieving family, no further details will be released to the public.

“Our hearts go out to the family of this child,” said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, administrator for the Idaho Division of Public Health. “Infection with the virus can have devastating impacts on families, and this situation highlights the seriousness of COVID-19.”

Nearly 900 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported among children in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic.

“We were saddened to hear of the loss of one of our newest community members. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time,” said Nikole Zogg, SWDH director.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for parents and prospective parents, including pregnant women, who may also receive a COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for pregnant women, who may also receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect parents and prospective parents from severe illness from COVID-19, which can help protect babies and children who are too young to be vaccinated.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

 # # #

Media Contacts: 

DHW Media Contact: Greg Stahl
Public Information Officer
208-334-0668

SWDH Media Contact: Ashley Anderson
Public Information Officer
Southwest District Health
Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vaccine appointments available at Southwest District Health for individuals aged 5 and older following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine approval for children ages 5-11

CALDWELL, IDAHO – COVID-19 vaccine appointments for individuals ages 5 and older are now available at Southwest District Health (SWDH). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years. On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine for children ages 5-11. This means that children 5-11 years and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine.

Before being authorized for children, scientists and medical experts completed their review of safety and effectiveness data from clinical trials of thousands of children. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was rigorously tested and reviewed, and over 11 million adolescents ages 12-17 have already safely received the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents are encouraged to do their own research on the safety, efficacy, and science behind COVID-19 vaccines.

Like the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 12 years and older, the two doses are administered at least 21 days apart. However, the pediatric vaccine for ages 5-11 is a different formulation and dose size than the vaccine for ages 12 years and older and requires different storage and handling practices.

Of note, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for emergency use (EUA) for those ages 5-16 and fully licensed for ages 16 and older. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are both authorized for emergency use in those 18-years and older. The CDC recommends all people 5 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, with booster shots recommended for certain eligible groups as well.

Making a COVID-19 vaccine appointment

Whether it’s your first dose, second dose, or booster dose, if you would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19, please call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411. To find a vaccination location near you for your child contact your child’s pediatrician, contact Southwest District Health, or visit Vaccines.gov.

Inquiries about the SWDH mobile vaccination team available free of charge to businesses or events within SWDH’s jurisdiction can be directed to the SWDH COVID-19 Call Center at 208-455-5411 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (MST) except for observed holidays.

Information Resources

• For more information about pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, speak with your child’s pediatrician or visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html
• COVID-19 Vaccine Locator https://vaccines.gov
• SWDH COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage https://swdh.id.gov/covid19/#Vaccine

# # #

Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov