Idaho changes vaccine laws

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Story Published: Jun 15, 2009 at 5:22 PM MST

Story Updated: Jun 15, 2009 at 10:02 PM MST

By Hasti Taghi

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IDAHO FALLS - In just about two weeks, Idaho will go from free vaccines for all to VFC-Only coverage.

A VFC child is someone who is uninsured, under-insured, on Medicaid, and Native American or Alaskan Natives.

But the July 1st change will cost those of you with health insurance some big bucks. A visit that now costs between 14 and 30-dollars could now be up to 500.

"Vaccine is very expensive just in the state of Idaho. I don't think people are aware of that because we've had this universal coverage," says Amy Gamett, nurse manager Eastern Idaho Public Health District.

And that's been the case since 1994. Now budget cuts don't allow that. Idaho doesn't require insurance companies to cover the costs and many don't.

"I still think there will be a pocket of children out there with insurance that aren't gonna receive vaccines due to high-co-pays, high deductibles and other barriers," says Gamett.

"Idaho is already ranked the lowest out of all the states when it comes to childhood vaccination rates and this latest change could be yet another hindrance to your child's health," says Eyewitness News reporter Hasti Taghi.

"We're gonna see more disease outbreak," says Gamett.

But Blue Cross of Idaho has agreed to cover it's customers. In a statement to Channel 3, they write,

"Our participation in this program is one more way for us to demonstrate our commitment to improving the health of Idahoans and immunizations are one of the most important means of safeguarding the health of children."

But the fear is, once the change is made, it could be a permanent one for Idaho's kids.

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