Thread by @BenWinslow

Now the #utleg's HHS committee is getting an update on the #COVID19 vaccine.

Here's my story on it: fox13now.com/news/coronavir… @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Rich Lakin, the immunization director for @UtahDepOfHealth, is outlining the phases for the #COVID19 vaccine. Long-term care facilities, assisted living centers, nursing facilities, health care providers, can also independently order vaccine. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@UtahDepOfHealth cautions it does not know how many doses it will get, so it is planning for LIMITED doses.

Here's the priority list. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Again, @UtahDepOfHealth is preparing for limited doses initially. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

"We are looking at all the priority groups we can," Lakin says.

They're working with local health departments to ensure vaccinations can happen ASAP.

.@Walgreens
and @cvspharmacy will also get it from the feds. They'll take care of long-term care. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

As the vaccine becomes more available, the public will then get the vaccine through private sector as well as general public.

Private clinics have already stepped up to offer to help distribute vaccine. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Lakin makes it clear that it's likely the general public gets the #COVID19 vaccine in the third wave.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@UtahDepOfHealth says it will do active monitoring for symptoms and reactions with the eventual #COVID19 vaccine.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@NormThurston asks about mandating the vaccine?

No, there are no plans, @UtahDepOfHealth says.

@raywardutah asks when Phase 1 begins?

CDC did "not give me a good answer," Lakin says. November to January. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

CDC has not issued a lot of guidance on emergency vaccination.

Chair Christensen asks about media campaign to promote safety, etc., to "counteract the internet."

@UtahDepOfHealth is working on that now. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@DrAngelaCDunn is now in the meeting. She says Utah is starting to show signs of a plateau of 1,200 cases a day and 15% positivity. 5% are hospitalized. 1% wind up in ICU.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

"We are having healthier people be hospitalized," @DrAngelaCDunn says. She warns mortality rate could creep up.

Hospitals report "very full ICUs" that are "really stretching their resources thin." @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Good news? Testing has increased a lot, @DrAngelaCDunn says.

She has more confidence in % positivity rate.

Dr. Dunn is now going over the transmission index in Utah. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@DrAngelaCDunn says we may see impact of new restrictions next week (it takes about 2 weeks).

@jenforutah asks if positivity rate is statewide? Dr. Dunn says it's indicative of statewide spread. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@UtahDepOfHealth director Rich Saunders says the #COVID19 vaccine plan is a "large task."

"We're anticipating and hopeful the vaccine will be effective and safe," he says.

They also have plans if it's NOT. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

"We're very hopeful that the public will respond to the transmission index. It's very important we get engagement," Saunders says.

He urges people to FOLLOW THE RESTRICTIONS.

Social gathering size and mask wearing are critical, he says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@jenforutah says "I'd like to know who's at the table" when it comes to making decisions on restrictions.

@UtahDepOfHealth's Saunders says he will send her a list. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Rep. Shipp asks @DrAngelaCDunn about who qualifies for a test?

Dr. Dunn says it's still as it was (symptoms or close contact), but they are trying to open it up more. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Disease control director Heather Borski (with @UtahDepOfHealth) says they're also working to expand rapid testing, uniform testing, etc.

Chair Christensen asks if there's an EZ test? Utah's trying to get that, she says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Sounds like some of that IS available in Utah now, but it's not widely available. Within 4-6 weeks, Borski says, there may be a home rapid test available.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Chair Christensen says his constituents who got the "brain swab" have said they'd almost rather have #COVID19 than endure it.

He thanks @UtahDepOfHealth for their work. @fox13 #utpol #Utah