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posted ago by SJBHamilton ago by SJBHamilton +45 / -0

Dear Friends,

The state of Utah is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases among people who are unvaccinated due to widespread circulation of the highly contagious Delta variant. Within our hospital, this has caused a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who need to be hospitalized. We are concerned for our community, especially as students are getting ready to head back to school.

We strongly encourage everyone 12 and older who is not vaccinated to schedule a vaccination appointment as soon as possible. Now is the time. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect you, your family, your friends, and our community. See below for instructions on how to schedule a vaccine appointment.

We know the vaccines are safe: 189 million Americans have safely received the vaccine. We know the vaccines work: the vast majority of COVID-19 patients in Utah who are hospitalized—over 90%—are unvaccinated.

We also know that many of you still have questions, and we want to listen.

On Friday, July 30, at 1 pm, we will be hosting a Facebook Live event to answer general vaccine questions and address specific concerns regarding children and women and fertility. Our experts will include Jeanmarie Mayer, MD, University of Utah Hospital Epidemiologist; Andrew Pavia, MD, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases; and Torri Metz, MD, Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist.

We will post a recording of the event on our Facebook page for those who are unable to attend the live event. We also urge you to learn more by talking to your health care provider and accessing resources at U of U Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Utah Department of Health.

We’ve come a long way: 64% of Utahns 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Now we need to carry this momentum forward so our schools and businesses can stay open and our loved ones can stay healthy.

If you are unvaccinated, please schedule your vaccination appointment today. Together, we can win the fight against the coronavirus.

Michael L. Good, MD CEO, University of Utah Health Executive Dean, University of Utah School of Medicine A. Lorris Betz Senior Vice President for Health Sciences