SALT LAKE CITY– Utah’s COVID-19 data is starting to trickle downwards, and vaccine distribution is going up: starting March 1, Utahns under the age of 65 will be eligible to receive the vaccine, along with Utahns over the age of 18 with specific co-morbidities.
During a weekly briefing Thursday, Gov. Spencer Cox stated the number of vaccines headed to Utah every week is expected to increase by 5% come March. And beginning next week, 50,000 additional doses will be shipped to Utah, according to Cox.
“At this point, we believe we can start 195,000 total doses per week starting in March,” said Cox, in reference to only the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine.
Additionally, Cox said another vaccine distributor could make its way to Utah in mid-March, once it receives FDA approval.
“We are planning on receiving 35,000 doses from Johnson and Johnson per week starting in the first half of March,” said Cox.
With the increase in shots available, Cox is asking residents to be patient as local health departments grapple with the demand.
“There will be scheduling issues,” warned Cox, along with other logical issues. But, despite the issues, Cox said this is a good problem to have.
“We are going to embrace that chaos,” said Cox. “We are going to get shots in arms and save lives.”
Starting March 1, 2021, Cox said Utahns 65 and older will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Along with the age bump, Utahns over the age of 18 with some co-morbidities and underlying health conditions will be able to get the vaccine.
Cox warned not every single person with an underlying health condition will be eligible for the vaccine on March 1. However, it’s a pretty lengthy list of qualifying Utahns.
Cox said about 400,000 Utahns live with underlying health conditions and promises those residents will continue to be a priority as vaccines roll-out.
COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention