Tulsa County Teachers, School Staff Start Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine

Several Tulsa County teachers were vaccinated Tuesday at Expo Square as part of Phase Two of the vaccine roll out.

The State Health Department said nearly two million people are in this phase of the distribution plan.

The Tulsa Health Department believes this phase of the vaccine roll out is going to take the longest. They said there's more than 15,000 teachers and staff in Tulsa County and they're hoping to get them vaccinated by spring break.

"It's an important step to get back to normal and that's what we all want, is to get back to normal,” said Owasso Public Schools teacher Teressa Blair.

Blair said she's excited to receive the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine on Tuesday. She said her four-year-old students have done a great job wearing masks, but getting the vaccine feels like a light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's a huge step to everyone feeling better, feeling safe,” said Blair.

Blair's co-worker, Antonio Graham, is a football coach and Leadership Teacher at Owasso High School. He said his students are proud of him.

"The best thing I can do is keep me safe, keep my students safe and keep my family safe,” said Graham.

Tonya Jackson works in a special needs class at Tulsa Public Schools. She said sometimes students in her classroom aren't always able to keep their faces covered. 

"I don't want to inadvertently bring something to them or they inadvertently bring something to me," said Jackson. 

Jackson's co-worker, Jay R. Oates Sr., is the Grounds Director at TPS and said he's getting vaccinated to protect his co-workers and his 18 grandchildren. 

"Most of my work is outside, but in my job I have to visit with my principals and make sure we are taking care of them,” said Oates .

Jenks Spanish Teacher Diego Alvarez said he believes seeing teachers get the vaccine will inspire hope.

"If I protect myself, I protect my family and if I protect my family, I protect my friends. If I protect myself I protect my students, my students protect their families,” said Alvarez. “It's a chain reaction and a win-win situation.”

The Tulsa Health Department made a separate scheduling portal for districts within Tulsa County, so they can have access to appointments that fit their schedules.