Senators Tester, Daines Encourage Montanans To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines Tuesday released a joint public-service announcement encouraging all Montanans to get their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

“Steve and I both got our shots,” Tester said. “And Jon and I hope you’ll get your COVID-19 vaccine too,” Daines said.

Montana Public Radio reached

out to Republican U.S. House Rep. Matt Rosendale to ask if he would join Daines, Tester and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte in their push to get as many residents vaccinated as possible. Rosendale’s office did not respond by deadline.

Rosendale earlier this month encouraged veterans to schedule their vaccine appointments, but has also introduced legislation against vaccine requirements. MTPR has previously asked his office whether Rosendale has been vaccinated and a spokesperson declined to answer the question, citing privacy reasons.

Demand for COVID vaccines has fallen across the state as just 40 percent of Montanans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. State health officials have not set a vaccination goal, but many county health officials say they are aiming for 70 percent or higher, though many say vaccine hesitancy could get in the way of reaching that goal.