A call to action from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: The best defense we have...
If you have been watching the news or if you tuned into our media briefing, the message is clear: as citizens, we have a responsibility to protect our neighbors, family, and friends in our community...
View ArticleHarmful algal blooms in recreational water: When in doubt, stay out!
Most of the year, Idaho’s lakes and reservoirs are safe to enjoy. But when water temperatures increase, as they typically do in July and August, and the right type of nutrients are available, some...
View ArticleA message from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: The Pfizer vaccine is fully...
On Monday, Aug. 23, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved as fully licensed Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older. Those 12 to 15 years of age can continue to get the vaccine under...
View ArticleHelp save a life on International Overdose Awareness Day: Naloxone is...
To combat the ever-growing opioid epidemic in Idaho, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has made it easy for organizations in Idaho to request free naloxone. Naloxone, the medication used to...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Why I chose to get vaccinated; and an update...
As the COVID-19 vaccine was being developed last year, I felt a huge need to know if the vaccines were scientifically sound, safe, and effective. Just like you, I needed to know this before I could...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: The activation of Crisis Standards of Care...
Because of a surge in COVID-19 patients who need to be in the hospital in North Idaho, Crisis Standards of Care was activated in Idaho on Sept. 6 after a request from Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene....
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A: The Delta variant is more contagious
What is the Delta variant and what should I know about it? The COVID-19 virus Delta variant has mutations, or changes, from the original virus strain. The Delta variant is more contagious and spreads...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Idaho is now under Crisis Standards of Care...
The Department of Health and Welfare announced Thursday that Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) was being implemented statewide. The decision came after St. Luke’s Health System requested that CSC be...
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A: Crisis Standards of Care
Idaho activated Crisis Standards of Care for the entire state on Thursday, Sept. 16. What are crisis standards of care? Crisis standards of care are guidelines that help healthcare providers and...
View ArticleA reminder from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Thank a healthcare worker today
Last Tuesday at our weekly press briefing, we were fortunate to have Dr. Jim Souza, chief physician executive at St. Luke’s Health System, as our guest. One of the reporters asked him what we can do as...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Trusting and believing in Idahoans
I was born and raised in Idaho. It is where I choose to live and work. I enjoy the beautiful weather and breathtaking scenery of my home state, and I trust the people and professionals who live here. I...
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A: Booster doses of the vaccines
Who is eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose today? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized and recommended booster doses of the...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Correcting misinformation about COVID-19...
Are there any deaths in Idaho that have been caused by the COVID-19 vaccine? That is a question we are getting a lot. Across social media and other communication channels, misinformation is being...
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A: An update on vaccine booster doses
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved and recommended booster doses for Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and the Pfizer/BioNtech...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: The facts about breakthrough cases – they...
The COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool against the pandemic. However, no vaccine for any disease is 100 percent effective at preventing illness. At DHW, we track cases among Idahoans who have...
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A: Some COVID-19 infections in vaccinated people are expected
What is a vaccination breakthrough case of COVID-19? A COVID-19 vaccination breakthrough case is when someone who is fully vaccinated tests positive for COVID-19 more than 14 days after getting the...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Making progress toward our Strategic Goal 1...
The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) is pleased to announce the launch of a groundbreaking program, designed to change how Medicaid pays for healthcare. This long-awaited, trailblazing program...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: When will Idaho exit crisis standards of...
When will Idaho be able to exit crisis standards of care? That is a question I receive quite frequently. When Gov. Brad Little and I answered questions through the AARP Town Hall earlier this week,...
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A: Vaccines are safe and recommended for pregnant women
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends COVID-19 vaccination for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or who want to become pregnant in the future. Women...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving
These past 20 months have been overwhelmingly difficult due to the impact of the pandemic. Everyone has given up something for the greater good, and we all have worked together to slow the spread of...
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