University of Idaho employees who do not qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine have been aggressive with Gritman Medical Center’s staff at their clinics, according to an email from UI President Scott Green on Monday.
Gritman also dealt with several university employees falsifying their eligibility criteria during the online registration process and at the vaccination site, “saying they are part of the K-12 system,” Green stated.
“This slows down the vaccination process, and we need to honor Idaho’s vaccination distribution plan,” Green stated. “When someone moves up, then someone else moves back.”
According to Peter Mundt, director of community relations and marketing at Gritman, the vaccination criteria is not under Gritman’s control. A full list of eligible groups is outlined on the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s website.
“We know some people have had to be asked to wait until it’s their turn,” Mundt said. “Those moments put our staff in an awkward position because they’re trying to protect public health as best they can and follow the rules the government outlined.”
Gritman can use identification cards to validate date of birth and make sure someone is of a qualifying age group, but it becomes more difficult as the state moves through other tiers.
“It really is on the honor system,” Mundt said. “We need people to review the governor’s eligibility criteria and only schedule appointments if they meet that criteria.”
Public Health – Idaho North Central District recently opened vaccinations earlier than scheduled to essential workers like farmers and grocery store employees.
Other essential workers and those age 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions are scheduled to receive the vaccine in late April, according to the state’s distribution timeline. The general public can expect to be vaccinated in May.
In the meantime, required COVID-19 testing for all students participating in classes in person will begin March 22 following spring break.
Testing appointments are available March 22-24 at the Student Recreation Center. Classes also begin March 22 and will be held as indicated in the course schedule, according to Green.
“Our testing lab continues to produce fast results, and we have not had a single transmission traced to a classroom,” Green stated.
Instructors will be given lists March 26 detailing which students are ineligible to participate in-person, according to Green. Students who have not completed the required testing will lose access to university systems including BbLearn and VandalWeb.
The university is also more in person events, due to changing protocol in Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s Rebounds Plan, including in-person commencement ceremonies in Moscow, Boise and Idaho Falls in May.
Six ceremonies to honor 2020 and 2021 graduates will take place in the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center in Moscow. Other ceremonies will be grouped by college.
“All ceremonies will be subject to Healthy Vandal protocols and state regulations,” Green stated. “More information and a breakdown of ceremonies is on the commencement website.”
Angela Palermo can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @apalermotweets