Oklahoma opened its coronavirus vaccine eligibility to Phase 3 beginning Tuesday, March 9. The move makes most Oklahomans eligible to get vaccinated.
During a Monday briefing, state health officials announced Oklahoma is opening Phase 3 of its vaccine rollout plan. That includes all essential workers, such as those working in restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, gas stations, hotels, animal care and more.
It also covers students and workers in education outside K-12, such as early childhood centers, colleges, universities and career and vocational technology centers.
These groups, combined with those already eligible, cover 85 percent of the state’s population, meaning more than three million people qualify.
Deputy Commissioner of Health Keith Reed said that opening this phase, paired with earlier phases, means nearly all Oklahomans are eligible. He advised healthy residents against the well-intentioned thinking that they should wait for an appointment, allowing those more vulnerable to go first.
"The best thing you can do to protect yourself and others in the fight against COVID-19 is to get the vaccine as soon as you can," said Reed.
Between when vaccinations started in December 2020 and now, about 700,000 people have received at least one shot.
Oklahoma currently gets about 200,000 doses per week. Getting everyone vaccinated will take a few months, and not everyone who is eligible will immediately get an appointment.
Vaccines are available through many doctors and pharmacies or you can use the state’s appointment portal at vaccinate.ok.gov.
Ya tenemos un suministro suficiente de vacunas contra el COVID-19 para abrir la elegibilidad a todos los grupos prioritarios de la fase 3. Las nuevas citas de la fase 3 se publicarán en el portal a la medianoche. Para más información: https://t.co/fpMRXEua4n pic.twitter.com/VYadd5EHQU
— OK Dept of Health (@HealthyOklahoma) March 8, 2021
---
Support this vital local reporting with a donation to KOSU. Click here to give.
