ALL NEWS

Doctors urge Utahns age 70 and older to get COVID vaccine as soon as possible

Jan 19, 2021, 3:36 PM | Updated: 5:00 pm

doctors urge seniors to get covid vaccine...

Doctors at the University of Utah worked to debunk myths and allay concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to encourage more seniors to get the shot. Photo: KSL NewsRadio via Facebook Live

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah doctors urge residents over the age of 70 to seek out the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. 

Dr. Mark Supiano, chief of the division of geriatrics at the University of Utah, said  the myths and misinformation needs to be dispelled to save lives. People over the age of 65 account for  70% of deaths in Utah.

“We know that age is a very strong risk factor for bad outcomes with COVID,” Supiano said. “So it is extremely important that older adults, at this point 70 and older, receive the vaccine as soon as possible.” 

Supiano said you can’t get COVID-19 from the vaccine and allergic reactions are very rare. 

Doctors: Seniors need COVID vaccine

But because of the way a vaccine works, it is possible to get side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines teach your immune system how to recognize a virus so you can fight it in the future. Side effects come from your body building up that immune response. 

“You can have fever. You can have fatigue. You can have muscle aches. I had some joint pains and muscle aches when I had my second dose. Essentially, what that is, is your body’s immune system mounting to this virus and your immunity building,” said Dr. Emily Spivak. 

“The side effects are minimal, short-lived and, given the overwhelming benefits and efficacy that we’ve seen, certainly well worth proceeding with the vaccine,” Supiano said. 

According to the latest numbers from the Utah Department of Health, out of the state’s 1,507 deaths from COVID to date, 1,166 involved Utahns over the age of 65.

Spivak and Supiano say the faster Utah can get people vaccinated, the closer the state will get to herd immunity — and an end to the pandemic. 


How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
  • Don’t touch your face.
  • Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
  • Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
  • If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
  • Obtain a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A 

Utah’s Coronavirus Information 

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

We want to hear from you.

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

All News

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

8 hours ago

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after he allegedly t...

Pat Reavy, ksl.com

West Jordan man shot, killed best friend while trying to ‘be funny,’ police say

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after shooting his "best friend."

8 hours ago

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

9 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.  

10 hours ago

FILE: The bust of 30 pounds of fentanyl in American Fork on March 21 highlights the drug problem Ut...

Heather Peterson and Curt Gresseth

DEA warns fentanyl most deadly drug in U.S. and Utah history

The DEA said Utah is on pace to see double the amount of fentanyl this year than last.

12 hours ago

The bodies of two men, ages 35 and 26, were recovered from the water, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., se...

LEA SKENE and BRIAN WITTE Associated Press

Investigation of Baltimore bridge collapse picks up speed as divers recover 2 bodies from water

BALTIMORE (AP) — Investigators began collecting evidence Wednesday from the cargo ship that plowed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and caused its collapse, while in the waters below divers searched through twisted metal for six construction workers who plunged into the harbor and were feared dead.   The bodies of two men, ages 35 and 26, […]

13 hours 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.

Doctors urge Utahns age 70 and older to get COVID vaccine as soon as possible