PROVO – Two health departments in Utah warn that they are running out of people who qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine and that the supply exceeds current demand.
“In Utah County, we are definitely feeling the slowdown,” said Aislynn Tolman-Hill, spokesman for the Utah County Health Department. “Every day it seems to be more of a delay to see the population of 70 and older signing up for appointments.”
Utah County Health Department employees worked Friday to fulfill empty appointments. Utah Valley Hospital even dropped the residency requirement and did not require an appointment.
“Everyone we get is one less to sign up,” said Tolman-Hill. “So that’s something we’re definitely concerned about between now and March 1, until then we move into that next priority population.”
Starting in March, Utah is expected to get people over 65 to receive the vaccine.
“We would be absolutely willing to move to that next priority group sooner if they allow it,” said Joshua Greer, spokesman for the Bear River Health Department. “We are ready.”
VIDEO: “We had 200, 300 people who didn’t show up for the clinic.”
The Bear River Health Department had to work quickly to get people for the #COVID-19#Vaccine after hundreds failed to show up for appointments earlier in the week.
FULL STORY is next @ KSL5TV at 6:00 @Royal housepic.twitter.com/Ob3DbMJy21
– Ladd Egan (@laddegan) February 13, 2021
In addition to Utah County, the Bear River Health Department, which includes three counties in the north of the state, also reported that it is difficult to fulfill appointments.
“Our commitments from the last week of February have still not been fulfilled,” said Greer. “So we’re in the same boat as Utah County is in.”
On Friday, the Bear River health department had to work quickly to find people who could come to the vaccine clinic, after hundreds failed to show up for appointments earlier in the week.
“We got all this vaccine out of the freezer,” said Greer. “It has to be used this week so that it doesn’t get lost.”
To fulfill the commitments for the coming weeks, both health departments hope that will help the public spread the word to those who are 70 and older that getting the vaccine has never been easier.
“It’s getting harder to find people in that category to sign up and take those doses,” Greer said.
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