THD To Implement Changes In Vaccine Appointments, State Expects More Doses

More than 28% of Oklahomans 65 and older have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and the state now expects more doses from the federal government.

About 350,000 Oklahomans have received at least one dose and Deputy Commissioner of Health Keith Reed said a large portion of that number will get a second dose in the next week or two.

The state will receive a 16 percent increase in vaccine supply next week, as Moderna ramps up production.

Reed said that means Oklahoma will have a steady supply of about 103 thousand doses per week for the next three weeks.

On Wednesday, the Tulsa Health Department said they will now offer more first dose appointments to Tulsa County residents.

It comes after the News On 6 report on Monday showed Tulsa County was administering far fewer shots than Oklahoma County, and some Tulsans had to drive to other communities for their vaccines.

Related Story: Tulsa Health Department Says It Can’t Keep Up With Vaccine Demand

Reed said they're encouraging all local jurisdictions to administer vaccines as fast as possible. He also spoke with Tulsa officials.

"They were holding more of their doses for second doses than what we preferred but we've talked through that and I think we came to a mutual agreement of a way to move forward there,” said Reed. “In addition to that, we are moving some direct efforts to try and get some appointments in the Tulsa area."

Nearly 600,000 Oklahomans have now pre-registered for the vaccine.