Oklahoma Among First States To Open COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility To All Adults

The wait for all Oklahomans to be eligible for their vaccines is over as the state entered Phase 4 of the vaccine distribution plan on Monday.

Monday, March 29th 2021, 9:52 pm

By: Grant Stephens

TULSA, Okla. -

The wait for all Oklahomans to be eligible for their vaccines is over as the state entered Phase 4 of the vaccine distribution plan on Monday.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said the state sets a good example of how vaccinations should be done.

"Oklahoma, we did this the right way. We prioritized the people who needed it first, we protected our most vulnerable, and today we have enough supply that anyone in the state of Oklahoma who wants a vaccine can get it," Stitt said.

"We are closing in right now on two million vaccines administered in the state of Oklahoma,” Stitt said in a press conference Monday. “Truly remarkable when you think about it's only been three and a half months since we started rolling out vaccines in the state."

While some areas of the country still lag behind, Oklahoma is one of the first states to get to a point where anyone can get a vaccine.

Despite the milestone, Stitt acknowledges the battle against COVID-19 isn't over just yet.

Keith Reed, the State Health Department Deputy Commissioner explains exactly why even more Oklahomans still need to be vaccinated.

"We must not declare this endeavor over. There are still many, many Oklahomans that must get vaccinated if we want to truly put COVID behind us and keep it there," Reed said.

Reed said the state is staying in the fight by increasing the number of providers where Oklahomans can get their vaccine.

"This next week we have invited the remaining ones to submit orders for vaccines. So, they submit orders, we'll get vaccine into their hands, and that will create more access points around the state," Reed said.

The state hopes the move - along with Stitt's own public vaccination - will build confidence in getting vaccinated.

"We continue to encourage people that have chosen at this point not to get vaccinated to reconsider their decision," Reed said.