Davis County looks to open second vaccination site to accommodate increased eligibility
Mar 19, 2021, 3:32 PM
Davis County Courthouse and administration building pictured on Sept. 1, 2020. State leaders are exploring the possibility of giving judges a 10% raise in salary. (Colby Walker | KSL NewsRadio)
(Colby Walker | KSL NewsRadio)
CLEARFIELD, Utah — The Davis County Health Department announced Thursday it’s looking to expand its vaccination efforts to a second location, reporting an overflow of vaccine appointments.
Vaccination appointments high in Davis County
County health officials say they’re already busy administering up to 23,000 shots a day, and expect appointments to be booked next week when the eligibility opens to all Utah adults over the age of 16.
The sought-after second location may be a drive-thru site, according to department spokesman Trevor Warner, and will offer extended hours. Plans for this second vaccination site are not yet finalized, but Warner said it’s “more than likely” to happen.
“When more vaccines roll into the state and we get more of the allotment, then we’ll be able to extend our hours and get even more shots out into people’s arms,” Warner told KSL NewsRadio.
Counties expect booked appointments as vaccination eligibility increases
The push for expanded capabilities in Davis County comes as other counties report trouble filling all their appointment slots. Utah County reported in mid-February that hundreds of appointments went unfilled when the eligibility was only open to those 70 years and older.
It’s unclear why those appointments went unfilled, but health officials speculate it may be the 70+ demographic didn’t know how to schedule an appointment. Others point to groups most hesitant to get the vaccine: Republican males, especially those in rural areas, according to a survey from NPR survey conducted in early March.
Gov. Spencer Cox responded to these concerns, which are likely to be more prevalent in Utah, during his monthly PBS news conference Thursday by telling listeners to “just do it.”
“What I’m concerned about right now is the willingness of people to get vaccinated,” Cox said. “Ironically, that’s the same group that is probably most adamant that we need to get back to normal as soon as possible.”
