Oklahomans 65 & Older Eligible To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Tulsa County

Tulsa County is making the COVID-19 vaccine available to more people as they move to phase two of the vaccine distribution plan.

That means people 65 and older can get it, but you have to get an appointment and many people are frustrated they can’t get an appointment yet. Officials said the appointment slots are based on the number of doses available. 

The change started Monday, and marks the first time that large numbers of people other than first responders or healthcare workers were able to get the vaccine in Tulsa County

For the last few weeks, the Tulsa County Health Department administered vaccine in a drive in clinic in the Exchange Building at the Fairgrounds, but asked reporters to avoid publicizing the location because it was limited to appointments only, which were filled by the top priority group.

With the eligibility now extended to more people, the Health Department has changed locations for their clinic, and expects to administer 520 doses per day this week, by appointment. All appointments this week are filled, and the next group of appointments, for all counties, will open up Thursday at 8 a.m.

Appointments can only be set after people register at the Oklahoma vaccine portal. That system will notify people of their eligibility, and allow them to attempt to book an appointment when one is available. People do not have get the vaccine in their home county.

Anyone unable to register online can call 211 for assistance with the process, but that system is receiving a record volume of calls and long waits are routine. More appointments will open up as counties receive more vaccine, and speed up their systems of administering them.