Oklahoma Caring Vans Help Give Tulsa Area Teachers, Staff COVID-19 Vaccine

Teachers and staff in the Tulsa area who are 65 and older are starting to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is just the beginning of the effort to get teachers and staff vaccinated. The Oklahoma Caring Foundation's "Caring Vans" will be at Tulsa Public Schools Wednesday.  

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is now in the arms of some teachers and staff members at Sand Springs Public Schools. The Caring Van made the delivery to the Early Childhood Education Center Tuesday so district employees did not have to go far during the school day.  

"They're very happy to see us. They're very happy that they have this opportunity to get vaccinated,” Oklahoma Caring Foundation Manager Amy Pulliam said.  

Pulliam said between Monday and Tuesday, they gave nearly 60 doses to those who qualified in the district.  

The Oklahoma Caring Foundation is working with the Tulsa Health Department to vaccinate not just teachers, but bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, nurses, long-term subs and any other staff members who are 65 or older.  

"Anytime we can help protect the school staff that will help just for the whole education system,” THD Clinical Services Manager Ellen Niemitalo said.  

Pulliam said they will be back at Sand Springs Public Schools in 28 days to make sure everyone who got a vaccine gets their second dose. In the meantime, she encourages everyone to get the flu shot, too.  

"One of my counterparts at the health department talks about how this isn't a sprint, this is a marathon; and I'm very proud of the fact that the caring vans can help carry the baton of that marathon while we go through the next few months,” Pulliam said.  

The Oklahoma Caring Foundation said one teacher they met turned 65 on Monday, a birthday that came just in time to qualify her for the vaccine.