Governor Stitt held an 11 a.m. press conference on February 11 to announce that Oklahomans under 65 with comorbidities, teachers, and staff will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning February 22. State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Lance Frye, Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed, and Secretary of Education Ryan Walters, were alongside Stitt at the podium.
“It’s been two months since we received the first doses of the COVID vaccine and since then, we’ve come a long way. I am proud to announce the vaccine will be available to Oklahomans with comorbidities as well as educators and school staff. We are one step closer to giving every parent in the state the option to send their kids back to the classroom,” said Stitt.
The state distribution plan defines Oklahomans under 65 with comorbidities as: “older adults and adults with one or multiple comorbid conditions including but not limited to hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, Down syndrome, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung, liver or renal disease, cancers, and those who are at high risk of mortality and severe morbidity resulting from COVID infection.” An estimated 1 million Oklahomans fall into this category.
According to the plan, teachers and staff in Pre-K-12 schools and educational settings are defined as: “workers within public and private Pre-K-12 schools for whom exposure is very difficult to control due to the nature of their institutions, and who serve an important societal role ensuring educational needs are met.” This group includes approximately 89,000 Oklahomans.
State Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye told reporters:
“Over the last month the state has worked diligently with our pandemic partners to get vaccines into the arms of Oklahomans who are most at risk and can confidently say we have administered vaccines to nearly 50% of those in our 65+ group. We are proud of the progress that has been made so far in protecting our most vulnerable Oklahomans, and we feel ready to make this life-saving vaccine available to two of our next priority groups that are at high risk of exposure.”
Keith Reed, Deputy Commissioner of OSDH said: “We are excited that we have reached the point where we can offer more of our at-risk populations the chance for protection against this deadly virus. It’s important to note that vaccinations among previous priority groups will continue alongside new groups in an overlapping manner to reach as many Oklahomans as possible. However, widespread distribution of the vaccine to this larger group of Oklahomans will take time, so we ask that everyone remain patient with us as we work through opening eligibility to these larger populations. In the meantime, it remains vital to continue to wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance.”
Starting Feb. 22, OSDH and partner providers will be “working to efficiently vaccinate a large portion of the teachers and staff group in a focused, two- to three-week push.” Any teacher who is considering getting the vaccine is encouraged to take this opportunity.
Secretary of Education Ryan Walters said in the press conference that, “Our goal is to ensure that any teacher or staff member who wants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine has the opportunity to do so by spring break this year. Everyone who works at a school plays an important part in a child’s life: their teachers, bus drivers, administrators, and cafeteria staff. They work hard to care for our kids, and I’m glad we’re able to care for their health and safety, too.”
Oklahomans who qualify as someone with one or more comorbidities are encouraged to register through the state’s Vaccine Scheduler Portal if they haven’t done so already. Teachers and staff at Pre-K-12 education settings are encouraged to receive the vaccine through their school district. They will see available appointments after registration on the portal starting Monday, Feb. 22.
Oklahomans among the new priority groups can expect to receive their second email from the portal that provides a link to schedule their appointment. Oklahomans can also work through a “local pandemic provider” or vaccine event to schedule their appointment if they choose.
Officials stress that the vaccine is available at no cost to all eligible groups. To schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or to register to receive a notification when you will be eligible, please use the Vaccine Scheduler Portal here: https://vaccinate.oklahoma.gov
