University of Utah Health is administering the first COVID-19 vaccine in the state of Utah. (Photo credit: UofU Health)
SALT LAKE CITY– It’s been three weeks since the initial nurses and doctors got their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in mid-December. Now, more than 68,000 Utahns have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. And close to 1,000 residents now have their second dose.
Among those getting a second dose is University of Utah health care workers. Many Utah vaccine recipients say it gives them a sense of relief to know they are vaccinated and protected.
About 60% of the health care personnel at U of U Health have been vaccinated so far, said the chief medical officer, Tom Miller.
“My thanks goes out to pharmacy, patient registration, and IT services for developing a system that allows us to rapidly inform the state of our vaccination rates, which has helped us stay at the front of the line in receiving the vaccine,” said Miller.
The total number of those getting vaccinated so far in Utah is still a lot less than the 157,925 doses the state health department reportedly had shipped.
But health officials say some shipments are still in transit, and there is a lag time in reporting numbers back to the state.