As members of the Salt Lake County Board of Health, we are dedicated to protecting and improving the health of all individuals and families in our county. Our work spans a wide range of public health responsibilities — from environmental protections and food safety to emergency preparedness and disease prevention. At the core of our mission across all these responsibilities is a simple but essential goal: to ensure that everyone in our community has the resources available to live a healthy, safe life.
One of the most important and effective tools in public health is immunization. Vaccines have a long and well-established record of safety and effectiveness at protecting individuals and communities from serious disease.
This includes vaccines that help prevent hospitalization and death from respiratory illnesses like RSV, influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal pneumonia — which continue to pose a risk to our community’s safety — and illnesses like measles, which we once considered eliminated domestically due to the success of vaccination programs. Our older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions are especially at risk of serious complications due to these preventable illnesses.
We want to emphasize that vaccines are thoroughly tested, monitored and reviewed by independent scientists and public health experts across the globe. Their safety and effectiveness are supported by extensive clinical data and real-world experience. In addition to preventing illness and hospitalization, vaccines help reduce the burden on our health care system and protect those most vulnerable in our community. Straightforward information about vaccines is available online at VaccineInformation.org.
The Salt Lake County Health Department works diligently to ensure that vaccines are accessible, affordable and available to all residents. The department collaborates with state and federal partners, health care providers, and community organizations to remove barriers and expand outreach — especially in areas of the county that have historically been underresourced.
As your Board of Health, we are committed to providing clear, accurate and nonpartisan information rooted in science and well-researched public health best practices. We recognize that health decisions are personal and we encourage open dialogue with health care providers and public health professionals. Our goal is not only to provide services directly to our community but also to build trust and promote wellness across every neighborhood in Salt Lake County.
We invite residents to learn more about the services and resources offered by the Salt Lake County Health Department, including immunization clinics, and to discuss your and your family’s vaccine needs with our immunization experts or your personal health care provider. Together, we can protect our community and create a healthier future for all.