The Salt Lake Chamber recognizes that quickly administering the vaccine will save lives and hasten the end of this pandemic in order to fully engage Utah’s economy. To that end, the Chamber has assembled below information and resources for businesses. The Chamber is also partnering with state leaders to ensure Utah’s business community instills vaccine confidence with our workforce.

General Information

How to Protect Yourself & Others from COVID-19:

  • Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people who may be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, such as older adults and people with certain medical conditions.

To learn more, visit the CDC website.

The COVID-19 Business Manual is a step-by-step plan from the Utah Department of Health to protect your business and prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is important to look at how your business operates and make a plan to make your worksite healthier. The manual has up-to-date recommendations from the UDOH, CDC, OHSA, and U.S. Department of Labor.

Some of the information you will find in the manual:

  • Keeping your business open and what you should do if an employee is exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19
  • Answers to questions business owners have about requirements for quarantine and isolation, sick leave, and tax credits
  • Cleaning after a positive case of COVID-19
  • Testing employees for COVID-19
  • How to protect your worksite, operations, and employees
  • Essential and critical infrastructure sector employees

To view the manual, visit the Utah coronavirus website.

Because COVID-19 is a new disease with new vaccines, information is rapidly emerging about how vaccines can help us stop the pandemic. The CDC has created a website to answer commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination.

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal.

Some of the information you will find include:

To learn more, visit the CDC website.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Utah has been committed to providing Utahns with accurate, transparent, and up-to-date health information and recommendations so individuals can make informed decisions to protect their families, businesses, and our communities. Our goal is to keep Utahns safe, healthy, and working.

The Utah Department of Health organized a workgroup made up of health professionals throughout the state (The Utah Prioritization Workgroup) to develop recommendations for how to prioritize vaccination groups on the state and local level. Their final recommendations are based on state and local data and need, vaccine storage capability of facilities, and guidance from the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Some of the information you will find on the webpage:

  • Utah’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
  • Vaccine distribution timeline
  • Vaccine Administration
  • List of local Health Departments
  • Sign up for COVID-19 vaccine updates

To learn more, visit the Utah coronavirus website.

The federal government has been working since the pandemic started to develop, manufacture, and distribute safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinations began on December 14, 2020.

Some of the information you will find on the webpage:

To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website.

COVID-19 Vaccination Business Checklist

Preparation

  • Monitor and support federal, state, and local public health communications about COVID-19.

  • Reinforce preventive measures against COVID-19 inside and outside the workplace, such as mask wearing, maintaining a 6-ft physical distance, and staying home when sick.

  • Provide educational resources to employees on the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Encourage employees to do their part to keep colleagues, families, and our community healthy and safe.

  • Identify a coordinator who will be responsible for COVID-19 issues and their impact at the workplace.

  • Develop a Vaccination Policy in coordination with your legal team.

  • Create flexible work policies to allow for teleworking when possible and leave policies to attend to sick family members or provide child care if schools close.

Implementation

  • Continue to monitor and support federal, state, and local public health communications about COVID-19.

  • Continue to keep your team safe by practicing good hygiene and following the CDC health and safety guidelines, such as mask wearing, maintaining a 6-ft physical distance, and staying home when sick.

  • Communicate to your employees and customers your Vaccination Policy.

  • Educate your employees on the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Consider programs and incentives to get your team to take the vaccine, i.e. two – four hours off to get the vaccine, etc.

  • Host a vaccination drive, if the opportunity presents itself.

Management

  • Maintain support of federal, state, and local public health communications about COVID-19.

  • Continue to keep your team safe by practicing good hygiene and following the CDC health and safety guidelines, such as mask wearing, maintaining a 6-ft physical distance, and staying home when sick.

  • Communicate any changes or updates to the Vaccination Policy to your employees and customers.

  • Encourage your employees to schedule vaccine appointments when they are eligible.

  • Regularly educate your employees on any updates on available COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Advise employees about the Docket App.

Employee Vaccination Information

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting the virus. The CDC has created a website to answer commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination.

Some of the information you will find include:

To learn more, visit the CDC website.

The Utah Department of Health estimates the state will receive 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the month of March. This estimate is contingent on current production estimates materializing, and one new vaccine manufacturer bringing its product to market. This supply will allow vaccine providers to immunize individuals in new eligibility categories, while also finishing to vaccinate eligible individuals from earlier categories.

Some of the questions you will find answered include:

  • What to expect at your vaccination appointment
  • How will I get my 2nd dose of the vaccine?
  • Can I get my COVID-19 vaccine in a county or health district I don’t live in?
  • Do I have to be a US citizen, US resident, or need to have a visa to get vaccinated?
  • Do I need an ID to get the vaccine?
  • How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost?

To learn more, visit the Utah coronavirus website.

The Utah Department of Health estimates the state will receive 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the month of March. This estimate is contingent on current production estimates materializing, and one new vaccine manufacturer bringing its product to market. This supply will allow vaccine providers to immunize individuals in new eligibility categories, while also finishing to vaccinate eligible individuals from earlier categories.

Some of the questions you will find answered include:

  • Where and when can I get my vaccine?
  • Who can get the vaccine?
  • Do I need an ID to get the vaccine?

To learn more, visit the Utah coronavirus website.

VaccineFinder is a free, online service where users can search for locations that offer vaccinations. We work with partners such as clinics, pharmacies, and health departments to provide accurate and up-to-date information about vaccination services. VaccineFinder is operated by epidemiologists and software developers at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Vaccines to protect against COVID-19 are now available in limited quantity in the United States. Eligibility requirements vary by state. Check with your local health department to see if you are eligible to get the vaccine.
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine at vaccinefinder.org.

Education & Training

Developing an Effective COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

The webinar Developing an Effective COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber’s Roadmap to Recovery Coalition, was held on February 10.

Throughout the past year many businesses have focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Now that vaccines have been developed, employers are faced with new questions. Can employees be required to be vaccinated? And do businesses need a formal vaccine policy?

This webinar addressed:

  • What an employer can and can’t require
  • What a vaccine policy is and what it includes
  • Who needs a vaccine policy
  • When it can be put in place

Speakers:

  • Marie Kulbeth, COO and General Counsel, SixFifty
  • Ryan Parker, VP of Product, SixFifty
  • Scott Parson, CEO, Staker Parson Materials & Construction, and Co-Chair, Roadmap to Recovery Coalition (moderator)

Watch Here

COVID-19: Myths & Misconceptions

The webinar COVID-19 Vaccine: Myths and Misconceptions, sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber’s Roadmap to Recovery Coalition was held January 8, 2021. From nano-robots to long-term side effects, hear from health care professionals about the truths and falsehoods of the new COVID-19 vaccines, how Utah classifies an “essential worker,” and more.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Angela Dunn, State Epidemiologist, Utah Department of Health
  • Dr. Amy J. Khan, Executive Medical Director – Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and BlueShield of Idaho
  • Rich Lakin, Immunization Program Manager, Utah Department of Health
  • Dr. Donna Milavetz, Regional Vice President, Steward Health Care
  • Scott Parson, CEO, Staker Parson Materials & Construction, and Roadmap to Recovery Coalition Co-Chair (moderator)

Watch Here

Science and Safety of the COVID-19 Vaccine

This virtual briefing was held on January 15, 2021 with biopharmaceutical industry experts and discussed the science behind the development of COVID-19 vaccines, the regulatory process to ensure they’re safe and effective and provided an update on Utah’s participation in COVID-19 clinical trials.

Hosted by BioUtah and the Salt Lake Chamber.

Watch Here

Help inform others that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. The state has created multilingual resources for businesses to share vaccine facts with those you know.

Some of the available resources include:

  • Flyers
  • Social Media Graphics
  • FAQ Sheets
  • Videos

To learn more visit, the state’s vaccine education resources website.

Throughout the past year many businesses have focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Now that vaccines have been developed, employers are faced with new questions. Can employees be required to be vaccinated? And do businesses need a formal vaccine policy? Generate your free COVID-19 vaccine policies and resources from SixFifty through your Salt Lake Chamber membership.

To learn more, visit the SixFifty website.

The Utah Department of Health Immunization Program is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in supplying COVID-19 vaccine. The goal is to have enough COVID-19 vaccine for all people.

Visit the Immunization Program website to determine if your facility is able to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

Some of the available resources include:

  • CDC Provider Requirements
  • Facility Enrollment Checklist
  • COVID-19 Provider Interest Survey
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Training
  • COVID-19 Provider Enrollment and Miscellaneous Forms

To learn more, visit immunize.utah.gov/covid-19-vaccine.

This toolkit will help your business educate your employees about COVID-19 vaccines, the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns. Developed by available resources from the CDC and State of Utah.

  • Adapt the messaging on vaccines to a format that will resonate with your employees.
  • Customize the template letter and send or email it to your employees to provide them with information on the COVID-19 vaccine and your vaccination plan.
  • Print copies of educational posters to hang in highly visible places for your employees to see, such as common areas, bathrooms, etc.
  • Organize a COVID-19 vaccine basics presentation. This slide deck from the CDC is about COVID-19 vaccines and could be included when sharing your vaccination plan with employees.
  • Continue to educate your employees via internal communication channels, articles, blog posts, and social media posts.
  • Invite employees to wear stickers once they have been vaccinated and post vaccination selfies on social media with the hashtag #IGotMyShotUT.

Supporting Materials/Templates

The available toolkits are designed to help your organization educate employees/community members about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns.

Toolkits include:

  • How to Start Promoting Vaccines
  • Resources to Communicate with Your Community
  • Flyers & Posters
  • Printable Stickers
  • Social Media
  • How do I get a vaccine web widget

To learn more, visit the CDC website.

Economic Data

The Road to Recovery Dashboard tracks Utah’s path to a full and complete economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession. The Dashboard, which is updated monthly, provides essential insights, tracks timely and leading measures, and shares salient indicators since the start of the pandemic.

First Dashboard released: September 2020.

Additional Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.

CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.

To learn more about their response to COVID-19, visit the CDC website.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) created the Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) to provide a dedicated search engine that allows users to search for financial assistance resources available to them, their loved ones or patients in their lives through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs available for patients who are eligible.

To learn more, visit the Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) website.

OSHA is part of the United States Department of Labor. With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

Workers and employers are seeking new ways to provide service while keeping their workforce and others safe. OSHA has developed information for implementing COVID-19 requirements and procedures to prevent exposure, infection, and spreading.

To learn more, visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website.

The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID) is a group of patients, providers, community organizations, academic researchers, business and labor groups, and infectious disease experts working to raise awareness of threats posed by infectious disease. As an initiative of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, PFID will explore and advance solutions to address the need to enhance pandemic preparedness, address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and the need for new antimicrobial treatments; and empower informed choice and confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

To learn more about their efforts against COVID-19, visit Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested nearly $1 trillion in the search for new treatments and cures, including an estimated $83 billion in 2019 alone.

To learn more about their commitment to beat the coronavirus, visit the PhRMA website.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Utah has been committed to providing Utahns with accurate, transparent, and up-to-date health information and recommendations so individuals can make informed decisions to protect their families, businesses, and our communities. Our goal is to keep Utahns safe, healthy, and working.

The Utah Department of Health organized a workgroup made up of health professionals throughout the state (The Utah Prioritization Workgroup) to develop recommendations for how to prioritize vaccination groups on the state and local level. Their final recommendations are based on state and local data and need, vaccine storage capability of facilities, and guidance from the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

To learn more, visit the Utah coronavirus website.

HHS and their federal partners are working together with state, local, tribal and territorial governments, public health officials, health care providers, researchers, private sector organizations and the public to execute a whole-of-America response to the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of the American people.

The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.

To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website.

The Utah Responds State Volunteer registry is a web-based system developed to facilitate health and medical response through identification, credentialing and deployment of Utah volunteers. Registration is open to Utah’s health and medical professionals, as well as others who live or work in Utah and are willing to assist during a health related emergency or event.

Learn more at utahresponds.org.

Working with 194 Member States, across six regions, and from more than 150 offices, World Health Organization (WHO) staff are united in a shared commitment to achieve better health for everyone, everywhere.

Their primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system. Their main areas of work are health systems; health through the life-course; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; preparedness, surveillance and response; and corporate services.

To learn more about their COVID-19 response, visit the World Health Organization (WHO) website.