Tulsa Health Dept. Texting Residents To Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness

The Tulsa Health Department is now texting Tulsa County residents with the hope of increasing awareness on how and where to get a COVID shot.

“We are looking at zip codes in the north Tulsa area, east Tulsa, west Tulsa, and Sand Springs, we would really like to see those numbers increase,” Public Information Officer Leanne Stephens said.

Since December, Leanne Stephens at the Tulsa Health Department said they’ve put in a lot of effort in informing residents about the vaccine.

“We have been providing public information through a wide variety of networks, including tradition methods like radio, television, social media, advertising, billboards, transit advertising,” Stephens said.

According to Stephens, this is the first time they are using text messaging on this scale to spread the word about the vaccine.

They said four separate text messages will be sent out during the six-week long campaign.

Residents will get a text letting them know how to schedule an appointment and where they can find free walk-in opportunities. If you get the text, but have already gotten the vaccine, Stephens said you can opt-out of the messages.

According to the CDC, almost 47% of Tulsa County residents who are ages 18 years and older have been fully vaccinated.

Stephens said there are still plenty of residents who’ve not gotten their shot but intend to do so.

“They might have not had transportation or time off of work, so the Tulsa Health Department is really committed to reducing barriers and providing that top-of-mind awareness,” Stephens said.

If you would like to know more about clinic locations in Tulsa County, CLICK HERE.