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The latest news about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Montana.

Missoula County Will Remain At Vaccine Phase 1B For At Least Another Week

A woman receives the COVID-19 vaccine at the Bozeman fairgrounds, January 6, 2021.
Nick Mott
/
Montana Public Radio
A woman receives the COVID-19 vaccine at the Bozeman fairgrounds, January 6, 2011.

Missoula County is holding off on moving to the phase 1B+ COVID-19 vaccination group recently announced by Gov. Greg Gianforte. The county Friday said too many residents in the previous phase are waiting for their first shot.

Under phase 1B+, Gianforte announced that the state is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines to those 60 years old and older, or those 16 to 59 years old with select underlying health conditions. The new 1B+ phase goes into effect across the state Monday. 

Gianforte said the majority of counties and other jurisdictions administering vaccines are halfway through their populations eligible for phase 1B, which included those 70 years or older, and younger people with select underlying health conditions.

Missoula County health officials announced that the county will hold off for at least another week before moving to the new vaccine phase. County officials say 85 percent of people eligible in the county for phase 1B are still waiting for their first dose.

Other more populated counties like Yellowstone and Flathead have said they are moving into phase 1B+ next week.

Aaron graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism in 2015 after interning at Minnesota Public Radio. He landed his first reporting gig in Wrangell, Alaska where he enjoyed the remote Alaskan lifestyle and eventually moved back to the road system as the KBBI News Director in Homer, Alaska. He joined the MTPR team in 2019. Aaron now reports on all things in northwest Montana and statewide health care.
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