What Utahns become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in March? We have the answers.

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People aged 65 and over and those with certain medical conditions can receive a vaccine next month.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Vaccines will be available to more residents next month.

| February 6, 2021, 2:10 p.m.

Utah is preparing to launch COVID-19 vaccines to more members of the public. The next wave of people will be eligible starting in March.

Who is eligible for a vaccine now? Who is eligible in March?

Currently, the list of people who can receive a vaccine includes people over the age of 70, health workers, first responders, K-12 teachers and K-12 school staff.

Starting March 1, this list will be open to people aged 65 and over and anyone over the age of 18 with a pre-existing medical condition approved by the state. People who have had the most cancers in the last year will be eligible. People who have been diagnosed with haematological cancer or blood cancer at any time in the last five years will be eligible. Anyone with uncontrollable diabetes, rated as 1c levels of 9.0 or higher, will be eligible for a stroke. People who are considered obese based on a body mass index of 40 or higher will be eligible. If you are receiving immunosuppressive therapy or have a weakened immune system due to medication or HIV, you will be eligible for the vaccine.

Other eligible conditions include receiving a solid organ transplant, severe kidney disease, chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B or C, chronic heart disease, not including hypertension, chronic respiratory disease, not including asthma, neurological disease affecting respiratory function, including Parkinson’s Disease and Down Syndrome, after having had a stroke or dementia and had asplenia, including sickle cell disease.

How do I prove I have a condition that makes me eligible for a vaccine?

Do not have to. The state is based on the honor system and requires those who do not have basic conditions not to get vaccines from those who have serious medical conditions.

“If you don’t fall into these categories … don’t look for a vaccine,” state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn said in a press briefing this week.

I qualify for a vaccine! That means I should call my health department to make an appointment, right?

Wrong. March meeting spaces are not yet open.

Public announcements will be made when it is time for people to sign up. The state urges residents not to disturb local health departments, while focusing on vaccinating people over the age of 70. Anything that slows down this process will delay the distribution of the vaccine to other groups, according to the state.

Salt Lake County Health Department spokesman Nicholas Rupp said people can probably start scheduling appointments in March about a week before the end of February. If the March program opens sooner, the public will be informed.

“They’re not open now,” he said, “(residents) shouldn’t call us or try to get an appointment now.”

I don’t qualify for a vaccine in March. When can I be vaccinated?

More people should be able to get the vaccine in April. The state intends to extend vaccine eligibility to more age groups, more pre-existing conditions and to people living in congregation settings, such as prisons.

All Utahns should be able to get a vaccine this spring or summer, according to current state plans.

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