Early Vaccination Available for Some Life Science Industry Employees

January 8, 2021

Last week, BioUtah News and Events reported on revisions to Utah’s prioritization of COVID-19 vaccines which generally eliminated “prioritization based on an individual’s employment status in certain industries” – at least in the initial wave of Phase 2. Since then, we’ve received more information on channels for vaccine distribution with some positive developments concerning Health Care Industry Representatives (HCIRs) as well as companies manufacturing COVID-19 test kits and laboratories performing COVID-19 tests.

There are currently three channels for distribution:

• Hospitals (vaccinating their hospital personnel)
• County Health Departments
• Walgreens and CVS are contracted with the federal government to do vaccines for Long Term Care facilities

In further communications with the Utah Department of Health, we have clarifed that HCIRs are considered equivalent to frontline healthcare workers and should seek vaccinations from a hospital in which they’re credentialed. Similarly, employees of COVID-19 test manufacturers and laboratory personnel performing COVID-19 tests could be considered frontline healthcare workers for purposes of early phase vaccinations.  Therefore if you meet these criteria contact your local health department for clarification on timing of receiving the vaccine.