People around the age of 75 or older are being moved up on the state's COVID-19 vaccine priority list for phase two, which is slated to start in mid-February. Governor Gary Herbert says as we move into phase two of our vaccination program, it simply makes the most sense to vaccinate those who are at the highest risk for hospitalization and death first. The Department of Health says those ages 85 or over make a majority of COVID hospitalizations in the state and are four times as likely to die from the virus. The department is also opting to drop the essential workers designation on the priority list, moving those included to the general population, and instead prioritize vaccinations by age group and other risk factors. Governor-elect Spencer Cox says this will reduce infections and alleviate hospitalizations.

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