HEALTH

Governor Cox announces changes designed to speed up vaccine rollout

Jan 8, 2021, 6:24 PM

legislative staffers get vaccine...

State leaders believe Utah may start getting enough doses to make COVID-19 vaccines available for everyone who wants one by April or May. (PHOTO: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

(PHOTO: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY – Health officials say the state’s COVID-19 infection rate has spiked, dramatically, thanks to holiday get-togethers.  Governor Cox says the state’s vaccine rollout still isn’t happening as quickly as he would like, so changes are being made.

On Friday, the Utah Department of Health announced an additional 3,793 cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s rolling seven-day average up to 3,051, which is a major jump from last week average of 2,371.  Plus, the rolling rate of positive cases has reached 32.7%, a dramatic increase from last week’s 26.8%.

Health officials say people are feeling optimistic about the vaccine, but too many of us are letting our guards down and not doing what we can to prevent the spread of the virus.

Governor Spencer Cox says there have been nearly 90,000 doses of the COVID-19 distributed so far, which isn’t nearly as many as the state was expecting by this time.  Moving forward, local health departments will be taking the lead in the vaccine rollout.  Governor Cox says those agencies are better equipped to deal with a mass vaccination than hospitals would be.

 “They have the ability to vaccinate a minimum of 50,000 people per week, with a capacity of up to 100,000 people per week,” he says.  “We feel very confident they will easily be able to meet that 50,000 per week threshold.”

On Friday, Cox signed executive orders designed to speed up the rollout.  Some of his orders include…

  • Health officials and pharmacies partnering with the state have to give every long-term care facility resident the first dose of the vaccine by January 23rd.
  • By 7 a.m. every morning, every agency has to report how many vaccines they’ve distributed in the past 24 hours. The vaccines have to be given within the week they’re received, and agencies that don’t meet that goal will have their allocations reduced and their extra doses redistributed.
  • On Monday, January 11th, teachers will be eligible to get the vaccine, but the state is asking schools to prioritize teachers by age and comorbidities.
  • On Monday, January 18th, everyone over the age of 70 will be eligible to be vaccinated. People will have to schedule an appointment through their local health department.

 

Cox hopes that everyone in the general population will be able to get their first dose of the vaccine by April.

“We believe that by making these changes and being able to exhaust our supply of vaccine, that will make us eligible for more vaccines down the road,” Cox says.  “It’s hard to argue that we should be getting more when we’re not using the vaccine we have already received.”

President-Elect Joe Biden has announced his administration will release all COVID-19 vaccines to speed up the process.  If that happens, Cox says the state’s facilities will be ready to accept the influx of medicine.

“We will be ready.  We will be prepared for that,” he says.

 

Similar Stories:

COVID vaccine rollout underway, but not everyone plans to sign up

Teachers to begin receiving the vaccine as Utah passes 300K COVID-19 cases

Hey, Utahns over 70: Here’s everything to know about getting your COVID-19 vaccine

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

Myrtle Spurge is often touted as deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, but the plant is rapidly inva...

Eliza Pace

Salt Lake County Health warns of harmful myrtle spurge plant

Myrtle spurge was originally introduced to Utah as a decorative plant but is an invasive species that has spread to natural areas.

22 hours ago

Dairy cows across the country, specifically in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico are getting sick with a...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Cows across the country are getting sick with a “flu-like” illness

Utah is altering the requirements for livestock brought into the state after multiple cows across the country have gotten sick with a flu-like illness.  

1 day ago

Over 30% of people in Utah are considred prediabetic because of the amount of soda they drink....

Amanda Dickson

Is Utah’s soda obsession behind our levels of prediabetes?

Here in Utah, our soda drinking habits might be making us particularly at risk for prediabetes and diabetes.

2 days ago

A hand holds a tablet stamped with "MF," standing for mifepristone....

CNN

Study shows how self-managed abortion became more common, as Supreme Court abortion drug hearing looms

Medication abortion has become increasingly common since it first became available in the United States two decades ago.

3 days ago

Small screens...

Don Brinkerhoff

Small screens impacting the mental health of kids says study

The increased use of small screens by kids and teens may be linked to increased mental health issues according to a study.

3 days ago

bottles of prescription medication at a desk. 16.2% of Utahns are unable to get the prescription me...

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Utah ranks second in the nation for prescription medication shortages

The hardest prescription medication to get is for ADHD, cancer and high blood pressure.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Governor Cox announces changes designed to speed up vaccine rollout