Local clinic has appointments open
As vaccination efforts across the nation continue, Oklahoma has continued to make the COVID-19 vaccine accessible to as many people as possible.
The latest efforts by the Oklahoma State Department of Health have opened up vaccine eligibility to nonresidents of Oklahoma.
“While our focus has been and will continue to be on vaccinating Oklahomans, we have always known there would be a point at which supply and increasing capacity would allow us to welcome residents from neighboring states into Oklahoma to get vaccinated,” Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed said.
This action by the state allows for Oklahoma to be one of the first states in the nation to remove its residency requirement for the vaccine.
“[We] are happy to extend a welcome to our neighbors as part of our efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the region,” Reed said. “This virus does not adhere to boundaries drawn on a map, so by ensuring high vaccination rates across the region — not just Oklahoma — we are providing an extra layer of protection for our residents.”
“With supply consistently increasing week over week, additional access points coming on board each day, and Oklahomans able to find readily available appointments across the state, we have a lot to be hopeful about in the coming months,” Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye said. “It’s going to require a continued commitment to our mitigation efforts. Now is not the time to let our guard down.”
Currently, all Oklahomans 16 and up are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine at no cost to them.
Those ages 16 and 17 are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. They are required to have guardian consent and their presence during the vaccination. The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to those 18 and older.
Distribution efforts in Cordell have also continued as the COVID vaccine is now available at the Cordell Family Medical Clinic for those who are eligible.
The Family Medical Clinic currently only has the Moderna vaccine available to residents of Cordell and those in the surrounding towns as well.
Vaccine appointments are available only on Wednesday every week and an appointment must be made by calling the clinic at 580-832-3838.
As of Wednesday, April 7, a total of 2,128,826 vaccines had been administered in the state with 705,877 of those being fully completed.
For those interested in scheduling an appointment at one of the many other locations around the state, you can do so by visiting the state’s Vaccine Scheduler Portal at vaccinate.ok.gov.
“If you have not yet signed up for your vaccine, I urge you to do so as soon as possible,” Frye said. “It’s the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your community.”