Montana Governor Greg Gianforte introduced an aggressive program to open the whole state to COVID 19 vaccination beginning April 1.

AT press convention in Helena, Gianforte started by touting an ever-lower variety of COVID instances statewide.

“To this point, Montana has administered over 367,000 doses of the vaccine and over 140,000 Montanans have been absolutely resistant to the virus,” Gianforte stated. “Our strategy is working. Hospitalizations stay low at 54. At the moment, statewide, 42 counties have single-digit instances, and of these, 15 have none so far, and solely three counties have. greater than 100 instances, all lower than 130 ”.

Gianforte continued to current constructive figures on the pandemic.

“There are additionally solely 878 energetic instances in Montana in the present day,” he stated. “The final time Montana recorded fewer than 900 energetic instances was July 13. As vaccine manufacturing will increase and new vaccines are launched, we’re seeing a rise in provide and our hope is rising.

Gianforte then superior the timeline for the state.

“I’m joyful to report that we’re shifting ahead inside this time-frame,” he stated. “All Montanais, 16 and over will likely be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 1. Over the following 15 days, the state DPHHS will proceed their routine investigations to help jurisdictions which can be of their Part 1 B part, and to see the place the jurisdictions are positioned. in part 1 B plus and see how the state can help them. Then, on Thursday April 1, we’ll make these protected and efficient vaccines obtainable to all Montanans who need one.

Gianforte stated the state of Montana is reaching out to native and state pharmacies to assist broaden vaccinations.

“To handle this enlargement, we search to proceed to work with our pharmaceutical companions in order that they’ll faucet extra into state provides and get vaccines from weapons,” he stated. “I have been saying for a while that when my identify exhibits up within the queue I will get the shot. Nicely my identify, like all different Montanais 16 and over, will come up quickly. I look ahead to receiving the vaccine when my identify known as, and I encourage all Montanais to think about doing the identical.

KGVO has contacted Missoula County well being employee Ellen Leahy for her response to the governor’s announcement.