As Utah’s supply of vaccines increases, state officials are asking for volunteers to help ensure the capacity to administer vaccines matches that supply.
“We're announcing a statewide effort, a statewide volunteer effort, for those who are willing and able to assist in our vaccine operation,” said Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson during a Thursday press conference where she announced a volunteer effort to help distribute the vaccine in Utah.
Those who want to participate can sign up at response.utah.gov. There are opportunities for medical professionals and people who do not have medical backgrounds to volunteer.
Most of the volunteers will be needed starting in March when the number of people eligible for vaccines in the state dramatically increases.
“We have immediate need though for vaccinators—people who can give vaccines, who could administer vaccines, we have an immediate need for those,” Henderson said.
Physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, paramedics, advanced EMTs and certified nursing assistants are all people who can be vaccinators. Henderson said if an individual with one of these qualifications wants to volunteer but has not been trained to administer shots, that training will be provided.
Other volunteers are needed for things like traffic control and data entry. A list of all the help needed can be found on coronavirus.utah.gov.
“We need you,” Henderson said. “We need you badly and this is the bright shining light at the end of the dark tunnel. So thank you all so very much.”
