Missoula Public Health outlines vaccine availability, access barriers and expanded outreach

Missoula — Missoula Public Health officials told county commissioners that COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines are available to anyone 6 months and older and outlined steps to improve local access after a recent countywide vaccine assessment.

Gina Miller, chief health officer at Missoula Public Health, and Sarah Heinemann, director of health services, appeared on The Agenda with the Missoula County commissioners to explain eligibility, costs and outreach. “Anyone 6 months and older can get their COVID vaccine,” Heinemann said, adding that for some groups vaccination involves "shared clinical decision making" — a discussion with a medical provider about risks and benefits.

The officials said insurers are expected to cover recommended vaccines and that people without insurance can obtain no‑cost shots at the county health department under a sliding administration fee. Heinemann gave a direct scheduling option: “You call (406) 258-3363.”

Why it matters: county officials and public‑health staff said public confusion this season stemmed from delays and changes in the federal advisory process that set vaccine recommendations, which in turn affected insurer coverage and pharmacy delivery. Heinemann described how late or altered federal guidance disrupted the usual timing of recommendations and endorsements that feed into insurance and program coverage.

Missoula Public Health contracted Clarus Research and University of Montana partners for a point‑in‑time survey that mailed postcards to more than 3,000 households across the county and oversampled rural areas. Of 388 returned surveys (about a 10% response rate), more than 90% of respondents said they had received a vaccine in the past two years; most adults reported using pharmacies or their primary care providers, and most children used their health‑care providers.

The survey also identified barriers. Heinemann said 59% of respondents had ever received vaccines from Missoula Public Health but only 11% had used the department’s services in the past two years; over 40% of people who had not used the health department said they did not know the department offered vaccines. "A lot of that was during COVID," Heinemann said of earlier clinic traffic. She added that some residents believed visiting the health department would take a scarce dose from someone else — a perception the department wants to correct.

Heinemann also noted insurance network limitations: roughly 24% of survey respondents said Missoula Public Health was not in their insurance network. The department is negotiating contracts to expand coverage and hopes to make progress with UnitedHealth, she said.

Outreach and results: the department has launched a broader advertising and community outreach effort — including billboards, magazine ads and visits to community councils — to raise awareness of routine vaccine services. Staff reported running 19 off‑site clinics through October, serving 783 people and administering over 1,200 vaccines this season, compared with 524 people and 884 vaccines at the same time last year.

Public health officials emphasized that routine disease surveillance continues and that communicable illnesses such as influenza, COVID‑19 and group A strep are monitored locally. Miller framed vaccination and prevention as collective work: "You can't really opt out of public health," she said, urging residents to take part in protective measures such as vaccination, handwashing and staying home when sick.

Next steps: Missoula Public Health will continue outreach to increase awareness, pursue additional insurer contracts, and hold off‑site clinics in rural communities. For appointments or information, the department asks residents to call (406) 258-3363 or email communications@missoulacounty.us.

Sources: presentation to Missoula County commissioners by Gina Miller, chief health officer, Missoula Public Health, and Sarah Heinemann, director of health services, Missoula Public Health.