SALT LAKE CITY – Utah leaders have launched a new ‘vaccine distribution roadmap’ to ensure all groups in the state have access to the COVID-19 vaccine as the state continues to expand the parameters on who eligible to receive it.
Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson said the roadmap was created while state leaders tried to ensure there was an “inclusive vaccine strategy” that would cover groups that might otherwise be overlooked if vaccinations came up.
The plan, announced by the state on Thursday, would make it easier for individuals in minority communities, people with disabilities and people homeless to have better access to the vaccine.
“Our goal is to make sure that vaccines are administered fairly and equitably, and that every Utahn who wants a vaccine can get one no matter who they are or where they live,” Henderson said. “The vaccine distribution roadmap directs vaccine providers through the state of Utah to identify and remove barriers to entry so we can recover together without leaving anyone behind.”
It starts by identifying who is left behind and creating a message campaign that all Utahns can understand. Virus transmission data from the first few months of the pandemic highlighted these issues because it showed that minority communities were excessively affected by COVID-19.
In addition to addressing minority communities and tribal countries, the plan already recognizes existing language barriers. Henderson said the roadmap also wants to make it easier for Utahns to get the vaccine when they are at home, if they do not have access to transportation, residents of rural communities, households that do not have access to computers to plan a vaccine . appointment, or people who can not leave work to be vaccinated.
The current plan is modifiable to request adjustments by underrepresented communities or vaccine providers to also provide better access to vaccines, she said.
“It is important that work plans include strategies that are focused on the specific needs of these groups,” the roadmap document reads. “Strategies must be data-driven, use community leaders and partners to ensure all Utahns receive accurate vaccination information from trusted sources, and ensure that everyone has equitable access to health services.”
Once it has been determined that those may not have easy access to the vaccine, the next strategy is to create the appropriate messages to inform under-represented groups how they can access it.
The part may be more difficult, government officials said, as some under-represented groups may be more reluctant to get the vaccine. According to the document released Thursday, confidence in the vaccine appears to be lower among African-American and Hispanic populations.
“Our goal is to provide all Utahs with current, credible health information so that they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families,” the document added. “The state of Utah has many communication resources available to ensure that accurate health information reaches all Utahns, from sources they trust.”
The next step would be to devise strategies to vaccinate all Utahns. It could be through mobile vaccination routes or vaccination sites in communities, Henderson said. The buses can travel to senior centers, correctional facilities or specific neighborhoods where people can get their COVID-19 shot.
Clinics can also be set up for those with disabilities. Henderson added that the state spent nearly $ 1 million on language translation efforts alone, which helped the state translate its Web site COVID-19 and vaccination information into more than 20 languages.
Some of this has already been done. Henderson, for example, said the Tri-County Department of Health in northeastern Utah began working with faith-based leaders to spread information in many languages. The state has also started working with Spanish-speaking media to hold virtual meetings in City Hall about the vaccine.
“It takes an entire community to reach out to the entire community,” she said. “We are grateful to those who provided input on this roadmap and who continue to provide feedback and help us know where the needs are so we can reach the places that are best.”
According to the document, the timeline is to complete as many vaccinations as possible by the end of 2021. It was released on the same day that Gov. Spencer Cox said he believes the vaccination for all adults in Utah could be eligible by April.
The best vaccine for you is the one you can get first, regardless of the manufacturer.
-Dr. Angela Dunn, Department of Health Epidemiologist
The roadmap also defined that success has vaccination rates across the state that a vaccinated proportion of all Utahns have been vaccinated.
“This means similar percentages of all populations are vaccinated, even in populations at higher risk for serious diseases due to social, economic or geographical factors,” it adds.
Meanwhile, the state continues to expand vaccine distribution partnerships. It announced a partnership with three healthcare providers that began administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients this week.
The number of vaccine options also increased this week with the addition of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use.
In a press briefing on Thursday, dr. Angela Dunn, the state epidemiologist, addressed questions that Utahns asked about which vaccine they should receive. She pleaded that all Utahns should be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, regardless of the drug manufacturer.
“The best vaccine for you is the one you can get first, regardless of the manufacturer,” she said. “It’s so exciting that we currently have three effective and safe vaccines against COVID-19. … The fact that we have three means that we can end this pandemic sooner, and it will take everyone to get the vaccine. when available. “