More People Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine Than Flu Vaccine, Officials Say

The Tulsa Health Department said even though we are still in flu season, a lot more people are getting the COVID-19 vaccine compared to the flu shot.

Thousands of people have been getting their COVID-19 vaccines from Tulsa Health Department at Tulsa's fairgrounds. 

“I’m getting vaccine to stop spreading of COVID-19 and make sure that I cannot get it so that I cannot pass it to anyone at my work and my family," said Sofia Popova. 

Popova said she typically gets the flu shot, but she missed it this year and Tulsa Health Department said there are thousands of people in similar situations. 

“We are seeing a decrease in the number of the vaccines that were given. You know a lot of different reasons go into that. But just generally speaking we have seen a decrease in the number of people seeking out healthcare services just in general," said Jessica Rice.

Rice is Tulsa Health Department's Epidemiology Supervisor. She said since September, Tulsa Health Department has administered 8,750 flu shots compared to 85,600 COVID-19 vaccines. Of course, there's been a lot more publicity about COVID-19 and its vaccines, as opposed to the flu.

"Flu is definitely circulating within the community. So far, Tulsa County has had 61 flu related hospitalizations and four deaths and that’s significant. But a lot of the prevention measures that go into protecting individuals from COVID are the same that we would be recommending for flu," said Rice.

Popova said it's just been a hectic year, and she wasn't thinking about the flu virus like she normally would. 

“I think people are scared of COVID-19 more than the flu because flu became something normal. Like you hear about it every day and that word doesn’t scare you, and when you hear about COVID people get scared," said Popova. 

The last two flu season, Tulsa Health Department has given 14,000 doses of the flu shot. The said flu season runs through May, so there is still time to get the shot if you want it.