1.13.2021, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Translators and Interpreters Association (UTIA) celebrated a victory for medical interpreters this week, after their advocacy efforts resulted in early access to the COVID-19 vaccine by the Utah Department of Health. UTIA circulated a survey for in-person medical interpreters the week of January 4th. Eighty-one percent (81%) of the 237 interpreters who responded indicated they were providing in-person services and wanted to receive the vaccine. UTIA shared their findings with the Utah Department of Health, and it was announced on January 13 that medical interpreters would be placed in the same category as community health workers (CHW), who already have access to the vaccine. “Eligible interpreters can start registering to schedule their vaccine immediately”, announced Edwin Espinel, Contract Manager with UDOH.
Who can get the vaccine now?
The Salt Lake County Health Department has opened eligibility to medical interpreters who meet the following criteria:
- Interpreter is an employee or independent contractor working for an agency providing services in a healthcare facility.
- Interpreter is currently providing in-person interpretation. ONLY those providing on-site services (spoken language and/or sign language) are eligible for vaccinations now. Employers or agencies may be contacted to verify that the interpreter meets this criteria.
How to get an appointment?
Interpreters can call 385-468-7468 or go to Salt Lake County Health Department’s online registration to make an appointment.
Appointments are available at the Maverik Center parking lot or at the Redwood Recreation Center in West Valley City.
What must interpreters bring with them to their appointment?
- Your agency identification badge. If you do not have a badge, please bring the agency’s business card or a letter from your employer or agency stating that you are a Community Health Worker/Interpreter currently working for their organization and providing in-person interpretation in healthcare facilities.
- If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card.
There is no charge to you for the vaccination, regardless of insurance status.
Please visit the Salt Lake County Health Department for more information on COVID-19 vaccinations.
For those interpreters who work in other counties in Utah, they can go to https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-distribution/#lhd to find their respective local health department in their jurisdiction. Individuals can also visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-distribution/ to find the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines and to sign up for the Vaccine bulletin to receive the latest updates on vaccines in their email.
Vaccine availability is limited to the amount of vaccines local health departments receive on a weekly basis. Those who can navigate a computer are encouraged to register online as the phone bank fills up quickly and people may be on hold for quite some time.
“We are grateful to those who self-advocated by participating in this effort through the UTIA survey” said Carlos Martinez-Morales, President of UTIA. “And thanks to the Utah Department of Health, and our partners from Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health for their contribution in making this happen.”
Carlos Martinez-Morales, BS, CMI, CHI, UT-CMLI
President – Utah Translators and Interpreters Association (UTIA)