Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our spring member drive has ended, but it's not too late to give. You have the power to help fund the essential journalism that keeps us all informed. Help us close the gap on our spring fundraising goal! GIVE NOW
Find the latest information on the Coronavirus outbreak in Utah, including public health measures, contact information, news updates, and more.

Cache County Legislators Provide Immunization Updates

 

As of Wednesday, 325,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the State of Utah. At their weekly town hall on Thursday, Cache County lawmakers provided some updates the vaccination situation for their area.

Bear River Health Department officials said if every company providing vaccines lives up to their commitment everyone in their area will have the opportunity to have the first vaccine by the end of May. The second dose will be administered some time after that. 

 

Because of the large quantity of vaccines they want to administer, Sen. Chris Wilson said are state officials are looking for volunteers. 

 

“They are looking for both clinical and non-clinical volunteers. The local health departments will train. We also have vaccines that will be available through Walmart and Smith;s pharmacies," Wilson said. "So at the Walmart stores and the Sam's Club in Cache Valley next week, we'll have around 20 to 30 vaccines a day, and also the Smith's pharmacies. We'll also have so those allocations are coming from the federal government.”

 

As of right now those who are at high risk will be given priority.  Wilson said it’s important to him that everyone who wants the vaccine has the opportunity to get it. And he believes the health department is doing a great job. 

 

Sen. Scott Sandall, who represents parts of Box Elder, Cache and Tooele counties, asked for Utahns’ patience.  

 

“The health departments across the state of Utah are going to go from probably getting between 35,000 to 40,000 vaccines a week, to if they all commit and come through, 240,000 per week," he said. "So there could be some logistical bumps in the road, trying to get all that done.”

 

Wilson said some constituents are concerned about H. B. 117, which deals with a vaccine immunization records system. 

 

“Look, if I work at a place like that, that requires immunization, and they say that proof has to come from the use of the (state) system, now I'm being coerced into using the user system that I don't want to," Wilson said. "So the amendment was, if an employer requires proof of immunization, they can't require it from the use of the system.”

 
More details about H.B. 117 can be found on the state's website.