Which Utahns became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in March? We have the answers.

Which Utahns became 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 may receive a vaccine in the next month.

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

| February 6, 2021, 2:10 am

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

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

Currently, the list of people who can get the vaccine includes people over 70, health professionals, first responders, elementary and high school teachers and employees of elementary and high schools.

As of March 1, this list will be open to people aged 65 and over and anyone over 18 with a pre-existing medical condition approved by the state. People who have had most types of cancer in the past year will be eligible. People who have been diagnosed with hematological cancer, or blood cancer, at any time in the past five years will be eligible. Anyone with uncontrollable diabetes, categorized as a1c levels of 9.0 or higher, will be eligible for an injection. People who are considered obese based on a body mass index of 40 or more will be eligible. If you are receiving immunosuppression therapy or have a weakened immune system because of medication or HIV, you will be eligible for the vaccine.

Other eligible conditions include being a solid organ transplant recipient, having severe kidney disease, chronic liver disease including hepatitis B or C, chronic heart disease not including hypertension, chronic respiratory disease not including asthma, neurological conditions that affect respiratory function, including Parkinson’s disease and Down’s syndrome, having had a stroke or dementia and having asplenia, including sickle cell disease.

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

You do not need. The state is relying on the honor system and asking those without basic conditions not to get vaccines from people who have serious medical problems.

“If you don’t fall into those categories … don’t get a vaccine,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn at a news conference this week.

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

Wrong. The March commitment blocks are not yet open.

Public announcements will be made when it is time for people to sign up. The state is asking residents not to disturb local health departments as they focus on vaccinating people over 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 for March about a week before the end of February. If the March schedule opens early, the public will be informed.

“They are not open now,” he said, “(residents) should not call us or try to make an appointment right now.”

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

More people are expected to be vaccinated in April. The state plans to expand the vaccine’s eligibility to more age groups, more preexisting illnesses and to people living in crowded environments like prisons.

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

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