Snowstorms In Other States Delay Vaccine Delivery To Utah
Feb 17, 2021, 7:14 PM | Updated: 10:04 pm
PARK CITY, Utah – Winter weather in areas east of Utah slowed a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines that was headed for the Beehive State.
The Weber-Morgan Health Department postponed hundreds of appointments, and other departments across the state had to reschedule appointments to stay on schedule.
Salt Lake County actually had some extra supplies that it offered to counties affected by the delay.
Winter weather out east has led to some delays in vaccine shipments to Utah. Now, at least one health department is having to move hundreds of appointments. How different departments are dealing with the scramble, on @KSL5TV at 5&6pm
— Mike Anderson (@mikeandersonKSL) February 17, 2021
Krachel Fullmer with the Summit County Health Department said she found out about the problem Tuesday.
“We learned of some travel issues that were occurring across the country, especially related to storms back east,” she said.
Health departments all over Utah felt those same delays. Most adjusted without any noticeable changes.
Summit County, for example, took second doses that were scheduled to be used later and instead used them as first doses this week.
Other departments did the same thing, while others were unable to use that solution.
“It’s definitely stressful on health departments and on other partners who are providing vaccine,” said Jesse Bush with the Weber-Morgan Health Department.
His department canceled a clinic set for Thursday, which meant about 700 people will have to wait longer for a second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
“We do ask them to stand by, hold on, work with us. We will do our best to provide timely feedback and information so we can get them the vaccine,” Bush said.
A clinic set for Thursday in St. George was also canceled. Health officials said people who were scheduled for that clinic will be rescheduled for next week.
Everyone who is getting rescheduled should be notified soon if they have not already.
For now, this affected only clinics that were set for Thursday.