Name: Oklahoma COVID-19 vaccines: Cold prompts temporary changes; state scraps mega-POD plan; Oklahoma County launches portal
Brand: oklahoman.com
SKU: oklahoman-com-289
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

Oklahoma COVID-19 vaccines: Cold prompts temporary changes; state scraps mega-POD plan; Oklahoma County launches portal

preview

Dale Denwalt More people were eligible to receive their coronavirus vaccine dose Tuesday as winter weather made travel difficult.The Oklahoma State Department of Health told local officials to evaluate their needs and adjust priority groups on a case-by-case basis. The decision is a one-time exception due to inclement weather, the Health Department said, and only affected IMMY Diagnostics, a testing lab and vaccine provider based in Norman.It does not affect future clinics or others across the state.IMMY expanded vaccination eligibility Tuesday to include adults 18 and older with comorbidities. That group is part of Phase 2 of the state's vaccine framework, but often stand in line behind the elderly, healthcare workers and first responders."This does not alter the long-term statewide vaccination phases and framework, but rather helps ensure that all viable doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are administered as efficiently and resourcefully as possible," the state Health Department tweeted.In a call with reporters Tuesday, Health Department Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed said he's confident that no vaccine will go to waste because of inclement weather because appointments can be rescheduled and supply reallocated.Some vaccine locations may close because of weather; a list of closures across the state can be found at the health department's website.Reed said that since vaccination began, 247 doses in Oklahoma have been lost to broken needles or vials, expired vials or doses that were kept out of refrigeration too long.Expanding Phase 2The state Health Department is close to opening vaccine eligibility to additional groups beyond those over 65 years old in Phase 2."I can confirm that 43% of Oklahomans 65 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine," he said.That number is based on the state immunization registry and does not include vaccinations given through federal allocations."As we continue making steady progress through our priority groups, and our weekly supply of doses remains consistent, we're getting close to making the decision on opening the vaccine to additional groups," said Reed.As of Tuesday, more than half a million doses have been administered to Oklahomans, and 157,679 people have completed the full series.OKC vaccine portalFor residents in Oklahoma county, the Oklahoma City-County Health Department launched its own website to schedule local COVID-19 vaccine appointments.The site, , vaccinate.oklahoma.gov. The local health department's website will serve as a "one-stop shop" for all current and future vaccine appointments in Oklahoma County.The City-County Health Department will continue to post links to vaccine appointments as they become available. When appointments are available, the website will take Oklahomans to an online form where they will input their personal information.No mega-PODS in OklahomaLast week, the state Health Department announced Oklahoma would soon roll out large-scale vaccine sites known as mega-PODS, or point of dispensing sites, organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The program could have vaccinated 6,000 people a day in Oklahoma County.After analyzing the program, however, Reed said adopting it would do more harm than good. The mega-PODS wouldn't use a separate federal allocation of doses, but instead rely on the state's existing supply."If we continue with plans to bring these PODS into the state, it would be necessary to divert large amounts of state vaccine allocations and sustainment," Reed said Tuesday. "For the time being, we will not move forward establishing these mega-PODS."Reed said he was skeptical from the start, and called the outcome frustrating and disappointing.A new federal program will open vaccine sites at Oklahoma pharmacies across the state. Reed said that program has its own allotment of vaccine, and that Oklahoma pharmacies would receive 11,300 doses. Those locations include Walmart and Sam's Club, other retail chains and some locally owned pharmacies.Reed said that if someone already has an appointment through the state for their dose but then schedules a vaccination through the pharmacy program, that they cancel their state appointment to free that dose up for someone else.Staff writer Dale Denwalt covers technology, aerospace and Oklahoma business news for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Dale? He can be reached at ddenwalt@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @denwalt. Support Dale’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at oklahoman.com/subscribe or by using the link at the top of this page.

Dale Denwalt More people were eligible to receive their coronavirus vaccine dose Tuesday as winter weather made travel difficult.The Oklahoma State Department of Health told local officials to evaluate their needs and adjust priority groups on a case-by-case basis. The decision is a one-time exception due to inclement weather, the Health Department said, and only affected IMMY Diagnostics, a testing lab and vaccine provider based in Norman.It does not affect future clinics or others across the state.IMMY expanded vaccination eligibility Tuesday to include adults 18 and older with...

Oklahoma COVID-19 vaccines: Cold prompts temporary changes; state scraps mega-POD plan; Oklahoma County launches portal

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS