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Find the latest information on the Coronavirus outbreak in Utah, including public health measures, contact information, news updates, and more.

Utahns Over Age 16 With Certain Medical Conditions Are Now Eligible For Vaccine

Wikimedia

Utahns over age 16 with certain comorbidities are immediately eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

“It is possible for people to lie about whether or not they have one of these underlying health conditions," Gov. Spencer Cox said. "We’re not going to require a doctor’s note to do this. But I’m pleading with you please, please, please do not jump ahead in line. We have so many more vaccines coming, and they’re coming soon. “

 

Cox made the announcement at his weekly press conference on Thursday. The CDC has only approved the Pfizer vaccine for ages 16 to 18, so those who fall into that category can only make an appointment with a health department that has Pfizer vaccine doses.

 

Cox said some pharmacies may not have the new eligibility requirement updated in their scheduling systems yet, so some patience may be required.

 

He also announced that Utahns no longer need to make vaccine appointments in their home county.

 

“If you are eligible, and you can find an appointment in another county, that’s perfectly fine," he said. "Go for it, we are no longer requiring that you stay in your own county to get the vaccine.”

 

He said after a first dose is administered, people need to go to the same location to receive their second dose. 

 

As of Thursday 660,000 first and second doses have been administered, which is a weekly increase of 96,000 doses. 

 

Utah’s rolling seven day average of new COVID cases is at 723, which is a decrease from last week’s 830.

 

For more information about vaccination eligibility, visit coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine.