Oklahomans 65 and over eligible for COVID-19 vaccines as state expands distribution



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State officials originally planned to schedule vaccination appointments through an app from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but then hired Microsoft to build an app from scratch after finding out that CDC technology didn’t not meeting the needs of Oklahoma. The launch of the app was also delayed for a few days as vaccination sites had to be entered into the system.

Ensuring equal access to vaccines, even for those who are not technologically savvy or those without internet access is a challenge, Reed said. Those who are faster in the draw and can register online early are likely to get the vaccine sooner.

“It’s a legitimate concern,” he said. “It’s something that we continue to work on day to day. Frankly, this whole process… is going to be a very difficult process, it will be a long process and there will be a lot of challenges.

Health Commissioner Dr Lance Frye said he hoped Oklahoma will receive larger amounts of COVID-19 vaccines in the near future so more people can be vaccinated.

As of Jan. 1, Oklahoma had received 174,900 doses of the vaccine and administered 50,330 of those doses, according to state data. The remaining doses have already been assigned.

“We would like to get this vaccine out as quickly as possible,” Frye said. “We will try to make it available to everyone, and we will continue to work until we get there. Unfortunately, at the moment our offering is not as robust as we would like.”

Most Oklahomians who receive a COVID-19 vaccine through a county health department will receive the Moderna vaccine. Moderna vaccine consists of two doses given 28 days apart.

Also included in phase 2 of the state’s immunization plan are adults of all ages with serious underlying medical conditions, K-12 teachers, support staff and staff, and residents of schools. gathering places, such as prisons, prisons and homeless shelters. These groups are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines at this time.



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