Gov. Cox: Utah met 70% vaccine goal by 4th of July

Jul 6, 2021, 10:12 AM | Updated: 10:30 am

Gov. Spencer Cox, left, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site run by the Utah County Health Department in Spanish Fork on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

BY COLBY WALKER

Former Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said on Tuesday that 70% of Utah residents who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and are over the age of 18 have done so, meeting the state’s goal to hit the marker by the Fourth of July.

He noted a discrepancy in that number from the 65.2% reported by the Utah Department of Health, which he said comes from a difference in data collection.

“That [percentage] doesn’t count doses administered by the VA, Department of Defense, those in corrections facilities, or by Indian Health Services. When those 114,908 federal doses are counted, that brings us to 1,596,999 doses,” Cox wrote on Twitter.

“Utah’s population of 18+ is 2,274,774. The percentage of those 18+ with their first dose (1,596,999/2,274,774) is 70.2%! And this number is only going to go up.”

Cox said this is a milestone that should be celebrated. He thanked healthcare providers across the state for their work to help Utah reach this vaccine goal.

“Not out of the woods yet”

Even after hitting this goal, Cox said there are still hurdles the state needs to clear in order to make it “out of the woods.”

“Unfortunately, the pandemic is not over. We’re still very concerned about the recent rise in cases and hospitalizations, and some parts of the state, including many of our rural areas and communities of color, remain below 70% vaccinated,” Cox said.

🧵 Big news: We’ve hit the 70% vaccination goal for Utahns 18+! 1/ pic.twitter.com/LYdg6ddqwb

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) July 6, 2021

Utahns age 12 and older can get vaccinated for free around the state of Utah, resources and information can be found at the state’s coronavirus website.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronaviruses transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is 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.
Wear a mask.
Don’t touch your face.
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.)
Get a flu shot.
Get vaccinated.