Tulsa Health Department Begins Administering Pfizer Booster Shots

The Tulsa Health Department is now giving out COVID-19 booster shots for those who received the Pfizer vaccine.

It comes after the FDA approved booster shots for some populations last week. The Tulsa Health Department says it's prepared to give out as many as needed. THD says it gave out its first booster doses on Friday afternoon and there are now a lot of appointments available.

The health department is following CDC guidelines and recommending the shot only for certain people, six months after they got the Pfizer vaccine. That includes adults 65 and older, long-term care residents, people 18 to 64 with a high risk of severe COVID infection, and people who are at high risk for exposure because of their jobs. About 300 providers across the county are assisting in giving out booster doses and the health department says if you get it through them, you should make an appointment ahead of time.

THD is also preparing to give out doses to children younger than 12 if it's approved.

"When those recommendations are made, we as an agency in a community will support them and be able to provide those vaccinations to those age groups," said Kelly VanBuskirk, Tulsa Health Department’s Division Chief of Prevention, Preparedness & Response.

The health department will be at the Tulsa State Fair through October 10th giving out both booster doses and first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

No appointments are necessary if you show up there.