State officials originally planned to schedule vaccination appointments through an app from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but hired Microsoft to create an app from scratch after discovering that CDC technology did not meet Oklahoma’s needs. Launching the application also took a few days because the vaccination sites had to be entered into the system.
Ensuring equal access to vaccines, even for those who are not technologically experienced or who do not have access to the internet is a challenge, said Reed. Those who are quicker in the draw and can apply online sooner are more likely to receive the vaccine sooner.
“It is a legitimate concern,” he said. “It is something that we continue to work on a daily basis. Frankly, this whole process … it will be a very difficult process, it will be a long process and there will be many challenges. “
Health commissioner Dr. Lance Frye said he hopes that Oklahoma will receive greater quantities of COVID-19 vaccines in the near future, so that more people can be vaccinated.
As of January 1, Oklahoma had received 174,900 doses of vaccine and administered 50,330 of those doses, according to state data. The remaining doses have already been allocated.
“We would like to launch this vaccine as soon as possible,” said Frye. “We will try to make it available to everyone and we will continue to work until we get there. Unfortunately, at the moment, our supply is not as robust as we would like. “
Most Oklahoma residents who receive the COVID-19 vaccine through a county health department will receive the Modern vaccine. The Modern vaccine consists of two doses administered 28 days apart.
Also included in Phase 2 of the state’s vaccine plan are adults of any age with serious underlying medical conditions, elementary and high school teachers and support staff and staff and residents in congregated locations, such as prisons, prisons and shelters for the homeless. These groups are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines at this time.