Utah’s Goal of Achieving 70% Vaccination Rate by July 4th in Reach
Leadership from the Salt Lake Chamber, in partnership with the State of Utah, sent a letter to 10,000 businesses today requesting support for employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. These businesses took the “Stay Safe to Stay Open” pledge last year during the height of the pandemic, committing to remaining safe and open by following public health best practices, which now include employee vaccination.
“We will never know how many thousands of lives were saved by the valiant efforts of Utah businesses that joined and promoted the ‘Stay Safe to Stay Open’ campaign,” said Governor Spencer J. Cox, in announcing the campaign with the Salt Lake Chamber. “Our effort now is to ‘Bring It Home’ with a flash campaign that encourages the same businesses — as well as all Utah businesses — to assist their employees in protecting themselves, their families, and their place of business by getting vaccinated.”
The State has set a goal of reaching 70% vaccination by the 4th of July to support herd immunity. Currently, vaccinations in Utah have reached over 63% and this final push will help ensure a strong base of immunity against the coronavirus or potential variants.
“Business leaders throughout Utah have worked hard to protect their employees, customers, businesses and our economy during this pandemic,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Now it’s time to ‘Bring it Home’ and help our state achieve a smart public health goal. This sprint to July 4th is not only essential and symbolic, as we can escape the virus through a collective effort and give added meaning to Independence Day.”
In addition to working directly with business and community leaders, as well as local chambers of commerce across the state, the Salt Lake Chamber is producing Public Service Announcements from prominent business and community leaders. Social media efforts will center around this theme and spotlight the availability of mobile vaccination units across the state, as well as ask employers to provide opportunities and incentives to employees to receive the vaccine. The campaign will raise public awareness especially among minority communities and the underserved to promote information and access to vaccinations.
“We are closer than ever to putting this pandemic behind us,” said Rich Saunders, executive director of the Utah Department of Health. “Utah residents have embraced the COVID-19 vaccine, with 64% of adults having received at least one dose. We need more of our citizens to become vaccinated in order to reach a higher level of immunity in our communities, and to avoid a resurgence in the fall. If you’re still trying to decide about getting yourself or your kids vaccinated, please reach out to a trusted source like a doctor, a friend, or a family member for the information you need to make the right decision.”
To request a mobile vaccination visit, fill out a request here: coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-event-request.
Educational resources have been made available to businesses, here: coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-education-resources.
