TULSA, OK – [January 15, 2021] – Today the Tulsa Health Department (THD)’s Executive Director, Dr. Bruce Dart, received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We know that this vaccine is safe and effective, and we know that COVID can be a very serious illness for many people – and I don’t want to get sick. I encourage everybody to also get this vaccine,” said Dr. Dart. “I lost my mother in February. I’ve seen my father once since then, because of COVID. I got this vaccine so I can actually go and hug my dad.”
Dr. Dart registered in the Oklahoma Vaccine Portal and received an email with a link to book to schedule since he met eligibility requirements of being in the current priority group in Phase 2.
All Tulsa County residents can visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH)’s Oklahoma Vaccine Portal at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov. This online portal serves as a point of registration for Oklahomans who choose to receive the vaccine to determine their eligibility within each priority group and provide contact information to OSDH for updates and notifications when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. During the registration process, Oklahomans will be asked to enter basic contact information, including an email address, and complete a brief questionnaire regarding their medical history.
The decision to expand into additional priority groups is made by OSDH for the entire state. Current priority groups that are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine appointments:
• Healthcare workers
• Expanded healthcare worker group such as allied health fields and general outpatient health service (i.e. behavioral health, dentists)
• First responders
• Adults age 65+
According to the Oklahoma State Immunization Information System (OSIIS), THD has administered 7,383 vaccines to date. There have been 27,047 doses administered in Tulsa County and documented in OSIIS as of January 13th.
Additionally, THD is working with health care partners to arrange for vaccine clinics specifically for Tulsa County teachers and staff who are age 65 and older, along with licensed Long Term Care facilities who are not registered under the federal program. THD is working with all Tulsa County school districts to provide information regarding how to access those mobile sites.
There are more than 1,000 pandemic providers in Oklahoma who have signed up and been approved by OSDH to receive and administer the vaccine once the supply becomes more readily available. Just as it was in the early days of COVID-19 testing, there was limited supplies and limited access points. The same is true at this point for the vaccine. Eventually, there will be many more providers in our community who will have the vaccine and be able to administer it.
Individuals must have an appointment to receive their first-dose vaccine. THD is asking everyone to arrive on-time for their appointments to avoid unnecessary longer lines with those showing up too soon. THD is reminding residents that you cannot just show up to a vaccine clinic and hope to get in; this is for the health safety of patients and staff.
If individuals received their first dose with the Tulsa Health Department, at this time, they can return to the same location 21 (Pfizer) or 28 (Moderna) days after their first dose. Do not schedule an appointment through the Oklahoma Vaccine Portal. THD requests that these individuals time it at the same time as their first appointment and bring their vaccine card with them. Call 918-582-9355 with questions.
More information regarding vaccine availability in Tulsa County can be found on our COVID-19 vaccine page. For information regarding the Oklahoma COVID-19 Vaccine Plan, including the priority population framework for Oklahoma, please visit oklahoma.gov/covid19/vaccine-information.
The Tulsa Health Department continues to offer specimen collection for COVID-19 testing by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled online. Call 918-582-9355 to speak to a public health professional. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 page.
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