Immunocompromised patients worry vaccine exemptions put them in peril

Immunocompromised patients worry vaccine exemptions put them in peril

Health care workers brace for consequences of vaccine mandate

As of Monday, there are mainly three types of health care workers in Montana. Those with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, those with an exemption because of their religious belief or medical condition, and those without a job.

Health experts worry Covid vaccination rates inflated

The CDC's online vaccine tracker shows virtually everyone 65 and older has received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, but health experts worry COVID vaccination rates are inflated.

Covid shots among Flathead kids off to slow start

Just 1% of children ages 5 to 11 in Flathead County received a Covid-19 vaccination in the first week the shot was available to that age group, new state data shows.

Report: Covid third leading cause of death in Montana

Covid-19 associated deaths were the third leading cause of death in Montana last year, and the same ranking likely will hold true for 2021, according to a new report released by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Legal firm sues Montana over law banning vaccine mandates

A Montana law firm is suing the state over a rule that bans businesses from requiring Covid-19 vaccinations for their employees.

Pfizer booster shots to begin in Flathead County

Vaccine clinic planned Tuesday at fairgrounds

Flathead City-County Health Officer Joe Russell said the health department will begin giving Pfizer booster shots this week, now that the Centers for Disease Control’s independent advisory committee has recommended certain people get a booster shot at least six months after the completion of their Pfizer vaccine primary series.

Health officer resigns, citing pushback on Covid guidelines

The public health officer in a small northern Montana county is resigning because of the "constant negativity, pushback, disregard and lack of support" that health officials have faced throughout the coronavirus pandemic, she said.

With hands tied, Montana officials issue public health plea

Health officials in both Missoula and Bozeman are begging Montana residents to wear masks indoors and get vaccinated as hospitals face increasing strain and the state remains without any statewide health mandates.

Flathead Covid vaccination rate ticking upward

Health officials say Flathead County's Covid-19 vaccination rate is ticking upward by nearly 1% each week, a promising trend as the highly contagious delta variant continues to move through the valley's unvaccinated population.

Doctors are tired and frustrated

This letter is for my coworkers and the vulnerable people in our community. The words come from my experience with real Covid infected patients.

Health department offers 3rd vaccine dose for people with weak immunity

The Flathead City-County Health Department is taking online request forms from people with weakened immune systems for third doses of the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines.

Despite obstacles, Native Americans have nation's highest COVID-19 vaccination rate

For the first several months of the pandemic, the residents of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation were spared by their seclusion in the plains of northern Montana. But when the coronavirus finally arrived, it hit hard.

State explains how to comply with Montana's vaccine discrimination law

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry this week offered guidance to government agencies and private businesses on how to adhere to a new state law barring discriminating against people on the basis of vaccination status.

In Montana, unvaccinated patients make up 90% of hospitalizations

Nearly 90% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Montana over the past eight weeks have been unvaccinated, state officials said in a report released Thursday — a finding that comes as the state surpasses 1,800 active cases, roughly a quarter of which are in Flathead County.

Flathead COVID cases, hospitalizations surge amid low vaccine rate

Flathead County has become Montana’s COVID-19 hot spot in recent weeks, with the area now reporting roughly 30% of the state’s active caseload.

Sanford Health makes COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory

A dominant health system in the Dakotas that bills itself as one of the largest health organizations in the country said Thursday it is making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all its employees, citing the spread of more contagious variants.

Flathead COVID cases on the rise again

Flathead County has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, with 117 active cases as of Monday, according to the Flathead City-County Health Department.

Health department stages last COVID vaccine clinic

After more than six months in operation, the Flathead City-County Health Department closed out its community immunization clinics at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Tuesday.