Oklahoma Assisted Living Homes, Long-Term Care Facilities To Start COVID-19 Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccinations at assisted living homes and long-term care facilities across Oklahoma are starting this week.

Both CVS and Walgreens are assisting in that rollout.

CVS said they will be giving out vaccines at 176 different long term care facilities across the state of Oklahoma.

CVS, and competitor Walgreens, are contracting with nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the nation to help in the vaccination process.

CVS President and CEO Larry Merlo said they've been planning for this for several months waiting for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be approved.

Merlo said CVS pharmacy teams will make three visits to each long-term care facility - providing both an initial shot and booster shot three to four weeks later.

These teams will vaccinate both residents and staff members.

The Diakonos Group owns and operates 22 long-term care facilities and group homes across the state of Oklahoma.

They said the first shots at their first facility will start Tuesday in Oklahoma City, and each facility is contracted with either Walgreens or CVS.

CVS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Troy Brennan said pharmacies will play a key role in stopping COVID-19.

"Retail pharmacies are basically the foundation of the approach here,” said Brennan. “Both because we are convenient and we are everywhere. And where we are not, and where there are social vulnerability indexes high, we can do other types of clinics to reach people."

CVS said once the vaccine is available to the general public later next year, you will be able schedule an appointment at a store to get it.