More COVID-19 Vaccine Doses, Locations Coming To Utah
Mar 2, 2021, 6:57 PM | Updated: 7:45 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – More vaccine doses and more locations are coming to Utah as the Johnson and Johnson dose prepares to make its debut.
The state recently partnered with Nomi Health, which “has committed to being able to give 35,000 doses a week and ramping that up to 50,000 doses a week in the next few weeks,” according to Dr. June Steely, the company’s medical director.
“I think there’s a lot we don’t know and won’t know because of the variants,” Steely said. “But things are going good. I share Gov. Cox’s optimism that we’ll be able to get back to something like normal this summer.”
Nomi Health currently has partnered with the Larry H. Miller Group to distribute the vaccines at Megaplex Theaters across the state. So far, they’re offering doses at the location in Vineyard, Lehi, South Jordan and West Valley City. On Thursday, they plan to expand to the location in Centerville, which will provide the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to those who are eligible.
“Now that I have it, I feel a sense of relief. Big time,” said David Rowe, who described the months leading up to this as “discouraging and frightening.”
“I’ve known 12 people around the United States who have died from the virus, so I take it very seriously,” he said.
Rowe showed up to no lines at the South Jordan movie theater on Tuesday. It took just minutes to get through the process.
“It’s very organized now. I didn’t get that sense in the past. It just seems like things are working more efficiently now,” Rowe said.
Nomi Health tells me they have a much greater capacity at their locations than what they’re currently doing. They’re urging those who are eligible to go online or pick up the phone to make an appointment.
“I’ve been waiting for a long time. My parents are high risk. I’m high risk,” said Elleney Soter, who received her first dose at the South Jordan Megaplex location.
“It’s just relieving. Feels like there’s an end in sight,” Soter said.
Nomi Health is preparing to open more locations as demand increases, and they aren’t alone. The Utah County Health Department is working to open a site in American Fork.
