Latest On The State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan

More Oklahomans will receive the COVID-19 vaccine as we head into this new year, but leaders said we can't let our guard down yet.

This week, the state began transitioning to Phase 2 of the vaccination plan.

As a part of Phase 2, some first responders in Oklahoma received the vaccine this week.

Vaccinations are continuing for some who are considered part of Phase 1 such as healthcare workers, nursing home residents and staff.

The state continues to receive shipments of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines with more expected into the new year.

The state health department reported nearly 30,000 doses already administered last week but that number is likely well higher because of a lag in reporting caused by the holidays.

Despite the vaccine rollout, OU's Chief COVID officer Dr. Dale Bratzler said it will likely be months before Oklahomans can fully return to normal.

Dr. Bratzler warns large increases in cases and deaths are likely throughout January.

“It's going to be quite a while before we have enough Oklahomans vaccinated to feel comfortable that we can start letting our guard down a bit with the spread of the virus,” Dr. Bratzler said. “So, in the meantime, we need to test plenty of people.”

This week, the United Kingdom authorized a COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.

If approved here in the United States, it would be the third available for Americans.