SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Gov. Spencer Cox announced that Utahns 16 and older who have certain underlying health conditions can now get the vaccine.
The date was already set for March 1st.
The governor also announced that all people who meet the requirements to receive the vaccine are no longer required to wait for appointments in their home county. If a resident finds an appointment available outside of their county, they can schedule them.
Cox noted that residents will also have to return to the same location to get the second dose.
Those with the following health conditions can now opt for the vaccine:
- Asplenia, including splenectomy or spleen dysfunction
- Body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (also called class III or severe obesity)
- Chronic heart disease (not hypertension) that includes chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and severe congenital heart disease or valve
- Chronic liver disease including chronic hepatitis B or C, alcohol-related liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis or hemochromatosis
- Cancer diagnosed during the last 5 years that started in the blood, bone marrow or cells of the immune system. This type of cancer is called hematologic cancer (such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma).
- Cancer diagnosed during the last year that did not start in the blood or bone marrow. This type of cancer is called non-hematologic cancer (excluding diagnoses of basal and squamous cell cancer).
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) by transplantation of blood, bone marrow or organ; HIV; long-term use of corticosteroids; or other medications that weaken the immune system
- Neurological conditions affecting respiratory function, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, severe myasthenia gravis, Parkinson’s disease, progressive cerebellar disease, and quadriplegia or hemiplegia
- Receive dialysis for severe kidney disease
- Receive immunosuppression therapy
- Sickle cell disease
- Severe chronic respiratory disease (other than asthma), including severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibrous lung disease, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis
- Solid organ transplant recipient
- Chronic kidney disease in stages 4 or 5
- Stroke and dementia (Alzheimer’s, vascular or frontotemporal)
- Uncontrolled diabetes with an A1c of 9% or higher
The state does not require any medical note to schedule an appointment with the vaccine. Cox begged Utahns not to lie about health conditions to get a vaccine in front of people at higher risk.
Appointments can be made through local health departments or through certain retail pharmacies.
“We expect COVID-19 vaccines to be available in April for other age groups, people with underlying medical conditions not listed above, and those living in congregated settings and at higher risk of suffering. the virus that causes COVID-19, “according to the Utah Department of Health.” Vaccines should be available to the general public in late spring or early summer. “