January 7, 2021 – University of Utah Health began administering the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to frontline health care workers. Distribution of the second dose marks another milestone as U of U Health has vaccinated more than half of its health care personnel (HCP). "COVID-19 vaccinations have enabled us to protect our staff and continue providing the quality health care our community expects and deserves," says Michael Good, MD, CEO of U of U Health.
The second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine needs to be administered within 21-28 days after a patient receives the first dose. The second dose is needed for full protection against COVID-19. Vaccine recipients will likely experience side effects (injection site pain, muscle aches, chills, fever, headache, tiredness, etc.). This is the body's reaction to boosting the immune system and a sign that the vaccine is working.
Due to vaccine availability, U of U Health care workers are being vaccinated in four waves. These HCP are prioritized based on their role on COVID-19 dedicated units and risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. The vaccine is offered through scheduled appointments to make the process more efficient and effective. Depending on supplies, U of U Health anticipates that all HCP will be offered the vaccine by the end of January.
As many as 18,500 HCP, including clinical students, need to be vaccinated at U of U Health. To date, 59% of HCP have been vaccinated. "We are the fastest user of the vaccine in the state," says Tom Miller, MD, CMO at U of U Health. "My thanks goes out to pharmacy, patient registration, and IT services for developing a system that allows us to rapidly inform the state of our vaccination rates, which has helped us stay at the front of the line in receiving the vaccine."
January 7, 2021 – University of Utah Health began administering the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to frontline health care workers. Distribution of the second dose marks another milestone as U of U Health has vaccinated more than half of its health care personnel (HCP). "COVID-19 vaccinations have enabled us to protect our staff and continue providing the quality health care our community expects and deserves," says Michael Good, MD, CEO of U of U Health.
The second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine needs to be administered within 21-28 days after a patient receives the first dose. The second dose is needed for full protection against COVID-19. Vaccine recipients will likely experience side effects (injection site pain, muscle aches, chills, fever, headache, tiredness, etc.). This is the body's reaction to boosting the immune system and a sign that the vaccine is working.
Due to vaccine availability, U of U Health care workers are being vaccinated in four waves. These HCP are prioritized based on their role on COVID-19 dedicated units and risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. The vaccine is offered through scheduled appointments to make the process more efficient and effective. Depending on supplies, U of U Health anticipates that all HCP will be offered the vaccine by the end of January.
As many as 18,500 HCP, including clinical students, need to be vaccinated at U of U Health. To date, 59% of HCP have been vaccinated. "We are the fastest user of the vaccine in the state," says Tom Miller, MD, CMO at U of U Health. "My thanks goes out to pharmacy, patient registration, and IT services for developing a system that allows us to rapidly inform the state of our vaccination rates, which has helped us stay at the front of the line in receiving the vaccine."