Osage Nation Health Services Distributes Vaccine To Hundreds Of Oklahomans

Several hundred people got their COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday through the Osage Nation Health Services. The tribe had already opened up eligibility to anyone over 18, even if they’re not tribal citizens.

The Osage Nation Health Service vaccinated several hundred people in clinics at Hominy and Fairfax as part of an effort to reach smaller communities. The nation bought two RV’s they will use to take the vaccine to more remote areas, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to get it.

At a clinic Tuesday in Hominy, there was a line of people waiting to get the vaccine and all available appointments were taken. The tribe has plenty of vaccine to meet the demand, even after opening up appointments to anyone 18 and over. The tribe uses Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“We say come one, come all. We've got a good stock of vaccine and we're ready to get people vaccinated," said Laura Sawney, the Chief Operating Officer of the Osage Nation Health Service. “We want to vaccinate our native population, that's near and dear and that's our responsibility, and we take pride in that, but we also want to be good neighbors, and make sure our neighbors and community members our coworkers are getting vaccinated too.”

Lynn Williams of Sapulpa took them up on the offer. He’s not Osage, but drove the half hour to get the vaccine quickly with little waiting.

“I'm glad to have it done. My wife's aunt is 90 years old and we want to make sure we don't pass something on to her,” said Williams.

The tribe plans to continue vaccinations in Pawhuska the rest of this week, and this Saturday in Tulsa, in an open clinic with no appointments needed, at the Osage Casino from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Osage Nation said they have plenty of Moderna vaccine for the day.

More smaller clinics in smaller towns are coming, said COO Laura Sawney, because the tribe realized many people didn’t have a way to get to Pawhuska.

“If that's going to be an issue, we want to take the vaccines to the people, out to the community. We're going to try and hit as many communities as possible,” she said.

Dr. Ron Shaw said the tribes have an advantage meeting the needs for vaccine distribution because they are already in the rural areas while the vaccine has been concentrated in more urban areas.

“With that type of health system, you're already embedded into the community, to be able to roll it out, where private physicians, some are just now getting the vaccine,” said Shaw.