THD Holds 1,000 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Despite Cold Weather

The desire to get the COVID-19 vaccine was stronger for most people than the worry of braving the roads. Some even waited in line outside, to not take a chance on missing their spot.

While some COVID-19 vaccination appointments were cancelled Monday morning because of the icy roads, the Tulsa Health Department went ahead with more than 1,000 appointments.

The Health Department moved their appointment-only vaccine clinic at the fairgrounds to a larger building, to accommodate more people because of the expected cold weather. So many people showed up that the line went outside the door, with a few slipping on icy sidewalks.

Several people said they waited outside for a half hour before getting inside the doors.

"Well I had to wait outside a while than a long time inside. It took me about an hour and a half to get the whole thing done" said one woman.

"It was probably a good 30 minutes to get inside, and another 40 minutes once we got inside. We just got done, close to two hours" said Linda Nichols.

Many of the people at the THD clinic were getting second doses, which for the Tulsa County clinic only, is given without an appointment. 

The Health Department opened up another line inside to get people out of the cold, but that created more of a crowd inside.

"I asked them about it and they said on account of the weather. I told them it would be better to send people home rather than have them so mixed together," " said George Luegge.  

The Health Department had asked people to not show up early for appointments and wait in their car if they arrived early.