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SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox said Utah will start recieving the newly approved vaccine from Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday.
"So many have suffered through this pandemic," Cox said. "A third authorized vaccine tells me that even through some of our darkest times, miracles still happen."
The vaccine is authorized for people 18 years old and older, but the Utah vaccines will be distributed according to the eligibility standards already in place, according to Cox's office.
The Utah Department of Health is working to correct an error that allowed 7,200 ineligible Utahns to schedule vaccine appointments.
"An error in the registration system at Vaccinate.Utah.Gov allowed Utah residents who are not currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to schedule appointments," the department said in a statement. "Approximately 7,200 people who do not meet eligibility requirements were able to make appointments."
The ineligible appointments will be canceled over the next 24 hours, according to the statement, and email notifications will be sent out to those whose appointment was canceled.
Several people found out about the error on social media and have already canceled their appointments, health officials said.
"We apologize for this error and for any confusion it has caused. COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria can be found at coronavirus.utah/gov/vaccine," the statement read.
Those who believe their appointment has been canceled in error should contact the health department where they scheduled their appointment or try scheduling their appointment online.