Intermountain, U of U Health physicians announce vaccine rollout plan

Dec 3, 2020, 1:14 PM

Physicians with Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health are announcing plans for a COVID-19 vaccine rollout later this month. (SCREENSHOT: KSL Newsradio)

(SCREENSHOT: KSL Newsradio)

BY JOHN WOJCIK

Former Reporter

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Physicians with Intermountain Healthcare and the University of Utah Health are announcing plans for a COVID-19 vaccine rollout later this month.

Physicians explain the vaccine rollout

Local health officials say the Pfizer vaccine will likely arrive first. The plan is for it to be distributed to five Utah hospitals, who will each initially receive a few thousand doses, with additional shipments not far behind.

The five hospitals receiving the first wave of vaccines are LDS, Dixie Regional, Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, the University of Utah and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Jeanmarie Mayer, with U of U Health, said healthcare workers in high-risk environments will receive the vaccine first. As it turns out, that’s a pretty significant group.

“We’re really targeting those healthcare personnel that have been on the frontlines taking care of our COVID patients since March,” she explains. “So from our housekeepers, to phlebotomists drawing blood, to respiratory therapists [and] to nurses and docs that are taking care of patients. We will be targeting those groups first.”

“The data is suggesting it is very safe and effective. A group of nonpartisan people who are not involved financial with the vaccine review the data for safety.” – Dr. Andrew Pavia #COVID19Vaccine

— University of Utah Health (@UofUHealth) December 3, 2020

According to University of Utah Health on Twitter, “Individuals that are in the University of Utah care setting that have direct exposure to COVID patients or indirect exposure to COVID materials are classified as healthcare personnel who will be eligible to receive the vaccine in the first phase.”

The Pfizer vaccine could arrive to Utah hospitals by December 15th. Upon arrival, and with additional shipments expected soon afterward, hospital leaders say they’ll be ready to hit the ground running.

“We are primed to vaccinate up to 500 to 750 healthcare personnel a day,” explains Dr. Mayer.

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