COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Oklahoma

As of the writing of this story, three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved in the United States. Oklahoma, currently in its Phase 2 of vaccine rollout and having vaccinated nearly 20% of Oklahomans with at least their first shot, is ranking in the top ten states for the number of residents with at least one shot. At a February Enlighten event on how COVID continues to impact the business community, Dr. Patrick McGough with Oklahoma City-County Health Dept. / OCCHD said, "It is our goal and desire to vaccinate every person that wants a vaccine." He went on to explain that there have been some struggles with supply but assured the audience, "for those Oklahoma County residents who are still waiting on a vaccine please know that we are doing our best to get the vaccine to you as quickly as possible." Below you will find some resources for determining when you are eligible to receive your vaccine and where to find a vaccine near you.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health is rolling out vaccines to Oklahomans in phases. To read more about these phases, what phase Oklahoma is currently on or to complete a questionnaire to be notified when you are eligible for a vaccine visit vaccinate.oklahoma.gov. When you are notified that you are eligible you will be provided a link to book an appointment. For those in the OKC area eligible for a vaccine, in addition to the link in the email from the state’s vaccination portal, you can also try to visit www.vaxokc.com to schedule an appointment through other providers. While not associated with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, vaccine-alerts.com may be helpful in locating available vaccines in the Oklahoma State Department of Health or IMMY system for those who may be willing to drive to the surrounding communities where there may be an available vaccine. In addition to the state and county vaccine locations CVS, Sam's Club, Walgreens, Walmart or other local pharmacies may also have available vaccine doses that can be booked through their websites.

Oklahoma Tribes are also receiving an allotment of vaccines and may be using their own set of phases to distribute vaccines to their populations. In some cases, vaccines are also available to individuals who are not registered with the tribe. Find information on Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Seminole, or check with the tribe of which you are a member.

Those with questions or concerns about vaccine safety, benefits, side effects and more should visit www.occhd.org/covid-19vaccine. Read the answers to some common COVID-19 vaccine questions from the doctors at OMRF.