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Utahns can now receive vaccine in any county; more age groups eligible

Virus Outbreak Vaccine Utah
Posted at 11:24 AM, Feb 25, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-25 13:46:05-05

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox announced Thursday that eligibile Utah residents can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine in any county in the state, no matter where they live.

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However, residents must receive the second dose of the vaccine in the same location they received their first.

Cox also announced residents 16-and-up with special medical conditions are now eligible to receive the vaccine. A list of the conditions that make the new age group eligible can be found HERE.

"We are going for speed over accuracy," said Cox. "That is a choice we had to make."

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For residents 16-to-18 that are eligible to receive the vaccine, the CDC only allows the Pfizer vaccine to be administered. Not all Utah locations offer the Pfizer vaccine, so that age group is asked to make appointments at centers that offer that specific vaccine.

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No doctor's note is needed to receive the vaccine, so Cox hopes Utahns remain honest when requesting an appointment.

"If you jump ahead in line, that means there is someone else who won't get the vaccine as soon as they could have; and it's very possible that they could end up hospitalized or even worse, dying," said Cox.

"You can look yourself in the mirror. You can sleep well at night knowing that you didn't cheat the system, that you are willing to give it to those who need it the most."