Friday the Oklahoma State Health Department hosted a virtual conference meeting talking about the recent updates for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Some individuals have found it difficult to receive a second dose appointment.
“If individuals receive their first dose at a clinic the clinic may set up a second dose date in 3-4 weeks. I urge individuals to go to the same place for each vaccine dose. If not people can go through the portal and set up a second dose appointment. We have specific clinics setup specifically for second round doses. It should not be a lottery to get a second dose. What I’ve heard a lot about is people being very anxious to get there second dose and sign up a week later. I do not recommend this, because factors come in to play and it could be 2-3 before you are able to get signed up for a second dose appointment. As more venues come online we will continue to become more flexible,” Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed said.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Jared Taylor said vaccines have played a modest role in the recent decrease in COVID-19 numbers. Taylor credited the fall in numbers due to more Oklahomans following guidelines.
“It’s imperative we have Oklahomans follow guidelines. The vaccine has the opportunity to have a bigger population impact in the future and on an individual spectrum. I expect the vaccines to perform well,” Taylor said.
During the meeting Reed also talked about the Johnson and Johnson single dose vaccine and said it has gotten closer in production, but there is no specific time the vaccine will be available.
“I would love to have a single dose vaccine. This would make distribution easier in a sense we don’t have to worry about making second dose appointments,” Reed said.