About four months after Oklahoma administered its first coronavirus vaccines, it will end its phased vaccination program and open eligibility to all Oklahomans over the age of 16 beginning Monday, March 29.
The move expands access to the vaccine to an estimated half million Oklahomans who were not previously eligible.
"No more screening for eligibility groups. No more need for personal contemplation about whether you are eligible or should get the vaccine," Deputy Commissioner of Health Keith Reed said on Tuesday. "If you are over 16 and live in Oklahoma, you are eligible and should get vaccinated."
Oklahoma will join Alaska, Arizona and Mississippi in opening vaccine eligibility to the general public. Texas announced Tuesday it will also join that list this coming Monday.
The Pfizer vaccine is approved for people 16 and older, while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's vaccines are for those 18 and older. Vaccine trials are still underway for children.
Vaccines are available through many doctors and pharmacies or you can use the state’s appointment portal at vaccinate.ok.gov or the federal vaccine locator at vaccinefinder.org.
More than 27 percent of Oklahomans have received at least one shot of the coronavirus vaccine.
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