SALT LAKE CITY – Utah leaders have launched a new “vaccine distribution roadmap” to ensure all groups within the state have access to the COVID-19 vaccine as the state continues to expand parameters regarding who is eligible to receive it.
Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson said the roadmap was created when state leaders tried to ensure there was an “inclusive vaccination strategy” that would include groups that might otherwise be overlooked if vaccinations increase.
The plan the state unveiled on Thursday would make it easier for individuals in minority communities, people with disabilities, and those who are homeless to have better access to the vaccine.
“Our goal is to make sure that vaccines are administered fairly and equitably, and that any Utahn who wants a vaccine can get one, no matter who they are or where they live,” Henderson said. “The roadmap for vaccine distribution mandates vaccine suppliers in the state of Utah to identify and remove barriers to entry so we can recover together without leaving anyone behind.”
This starts with identifying who might be left behind and setting up a messaging campaign that all Utahns can understand. Virus transmission data from the first few months of the pandemic highlighted these issues as they showed that minority communities were disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
The plan does not only target minority communities and tribal nations, but also recognizes pre-existing language barriers. Henderson said the roadmap also aims to make it easier for Utahns to get the vaccine if they are housebound, if they don’t have access to transportation, residents of rural communities, households that don’t have access to computers to get a vaccine. appointment, or people who can’t come from work to get vaccinated.
The current plan could be changed to allow for adjustments called for by under-represented communities or vaccine suppliers to provide better access to vaccines as well, she said.
“It is important that work plans include strategies that address the specific needs of these groups,” states the roadmap document. “Strategies must be data-driven, using community leaders and partners to ensure that all Utahns receive accurate vaccination information from reliable sources, and ensure that everyone has equitable access to health services.”
After identifying who may not have easy access to the vaccine, the next strategy is to create the right messages to educate underrepresented groups on how to access it.
The part could be more difficult, state officials said, as some underrepresented groups may be more reluctant to get the vaccine. The document released Thursday reported that survey data shows confidence in the vaccine was lower among African American and Hispanic populations.
“Our goal is to provide all Utahns with up-to-date, credible health information so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families,” the document added. “The State of Utah has many means of communication to ensure that accurate health information reaches all Utahns from sources they trust.”
The next step would be to come up with strategies to get all Utahns vaccinated. That could be through mobile vaccination routes or community vaccination sites, Henderson said. The vans could travel to senior centers, correctional facilities, or specific neighborhoods where people could have their COVID-19 photographed.
Clinics can also be set up for people with disabilities. Henderson added that the state has spent nearly $ 1 million on translation efforts alone, which has helped the state translate its COVID-19 and vaccine information website into more than 20 languages.
Some of this has already been done. For example, Henderson said the Tri-County Health Department in northeastern Utah began working with faith-based leaders to ensure that information is disseminated in many languages. The state also began partnering with Spanish-language media to hold virtual town hall meetings about the vaccine.
“It really takes a whole community to reach the whole community,” she said. “We are grateful to those who have provided input on this roadmap and who continue to provide feedback and help us know where the needs are so we can best reach those locations.”
The timeline is to complete as many vaccinations as possible by the end of 2021, the document said. It was released the same day that Governor Spencer Cox said he believed April would qualify for the vaccine for all adults in Utah.
The best vaccine for you is the one you can get first, regardless of manufacturer.
–Dr. Angela Dunn, Utah Department of Health epidemiologist
The roadmap also defined success as having vaccination rates statewide that reflect “proportional numbers of all Utahns vaccinated.”
“This means that similar percentages of all populations have been vaccinated, including in populations that may be at higher risk of serious disease due to social, economic or geographic factors,” he adds.
Meanwhile, the state continues to expand partnerships for vaccine distribution. It announced a partnership with three health care providers who began administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients this week.
The number of vaccine options has also increased this week with the addition of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration.
In a press conference on Thursday, Dr. Angela Dunn, the state epidemiologist, asked questions Utahns have asked about what vaccine they should be getting. She pleaded with all Utahns to get vaccinated as soon as they qualify, regardless of drug manufacturer.
“The best vaccine for you is the one you can get first, regardless of manufacturer,” she said. “It is so exciting that we currently have three effective and safe vaccines against COVID-19.… The fact that we have three means we can end this pandemic sooner, and everyone will need the vaccine if it is for them. is available.”