The Delta variant has presented local officials with new challenges, which has resulted in rapidly evolving health protocols. It’s imperative that local health departments and government officials have a line of communication to residents to share reliable information. County health departments throughout the state are using Facebook COVID Alerts to get reliable, trusted information to residents about the latest COVID news and ways to get vaccinated.
Many local governments and agencies, including Utah County Public Health, are using Facebook’s local alerts to provide timely COVID updates, information about vaccines, resources for getting vaccinated and latest requirements around masks and social distancing. These real-time alerts are one critical tool to keep communities informed amid the increased uncertainty.
Utah County Public Health recently used Facebook Alerts to provide updates on drive through vaccine clinics in Saratoga Springs, North Utah County, and Spanish Fork.
“Utah County Health Department sees direct and substantial results when using Facebook alerts in conjunction with a Facebook post. Once the alert is approved, within minutes we have a sustained rush of people signing up for COVID vaccine appointments. We are using the alerts for each of our drive-thru vaccination events and see this rush for signups each time. This service is an incredible resource for public health at this critical time.” – Utah County Public Health
“Empowering state and local health departments with new ways to get timely information into the hands of Utah residents can have an enormous impact in decreasing the spread of COVID and help people make smart decisions about the health of themselves and their families. Facebook created COVID Alerts for this purpose and we have seen health departments like Utah County use these alerts to get updated information about vaccine availability and the Delta Variant to Utah residents. – Will Castleberry, Vice President of State Policy at Facebook
As we learn more and the situation evolves, local governments will continue to utilize Facebook COVID Alerts to keep their communities up to date in a timely and efficient manner.
Aislynn Tolman-Hill is the Public Information Officer for the Utah County Health Department
