Thanks to a drive-thru clinic at the Cache County fairgrounds on Thursday, the first group of residents over age 70 in the Bear River Health Department has been vaccinated.
“I wanted to get it as soon as possible because I want to go visit my grandchildren on the west coast. Nobody will come near me and my husband until we've gotten our vaccine,” said Kathleen Strelich who was vaccinated on Thursday— four days sooner than Gov. Spencer Cox originally anticipated the vaccine would be available for people in this age group.
Susan Broschinsky, who also received her vaccine on Thursday, said she wasted no time taking the opportunity.
“It came on as a text on my phone and that it was being offered and I signed up immediately,” Broschinsky said.
Bronschinsky said the process went well and she was grateful she didn’t have to leave her car to receive her dose.
Because the health department only had 300 doses available, Joshua Greer, the public information officer, said spots filled up fast.
“And so what we're seeing here at the fairgrounds is those individuals that have appointments coming in, we're getting them vaccinated, helping them through their paperwork, and getting them back out as soon as we possibly can,” Greer said.
Lisa Perkins was one of the nurses providing the vaccine and said she enjoyed people’s reactions to receiving the vaccine.
“The response we've had is lots of appreciation,” Perkins said. “(They are) very emotional that they finally get to get it. I’m glad that the process has gone so well.”
As more vaccines are available, more clinics will be held.