Tulsa's Federal Mass Vaccination Site Opens, Appointments Available

A federally supported mass vaccination site is open and ready to give thousands of people protection against COVID-19.  

The site will be open for eight weeks at Tulsa Community College’s Northeast Campus, with the ability to vaccinate 3,000 people a day. FEMA said it will not release how many people received the vaccine on Wednesday, until Thursday morning.  

The state portal vaccine availability showed more than 1,800 unclaimed appointments as of the late afternoon on Wednesday. Walk-ins were also welcome. 

Those showing up to the clinic were directed by the military and led around the Student Union, where people parked on the east side of the building.   

"There was no line at all, which was really surprising,” Max Shrader said.  

Shrader got his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Wednesday. He is in town from Oklahoma City visiting his parents. Shrader figured he would try to get the vaccine while he is here, since he said he didn't have much luck on the portal, finding a shot in OKC. 

"It's always out in like Watonga, Enid, Stroud. It's like three and half hours, hour and a half out. But you know, I came to Tulsa, and I got an appointment same day,” Shrader said.  

The Tulsa Health Department did not allow News On 6 to go inside the facility, citing privacy reasons.  

"It's fairly empty for the most part, which is unfortunate. The shot itself is really quick. I just had to wait 15 minutes afterwards. I didn't feel any pain - still don't. I just sat down and got my shot,” Shrader said.  

In a weekly COVID-19 briefing Wednesday from OSU, physicians warned natural immunity for people who had COVID in January, may be wearing off by now.  

Health experts said research shows that immunity will only last 3 to 6 months, but immunity from the vaccine is believed to last longer, possibly up to nine months.  

The mass vaccination site will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.