OSDH Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed announced on Monday that, as of Tuesday, March 8, all Oklahoma residents in the Phase 3 priority groups will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
The state includes the following groups in Phase 3 of the Oklahoma vaccine plan: Teachers, students, residents, and administrative staff in educational settings outside PreK-12, including daycare centers, daycare centers, colleges, universities, professional / professional technology centers, and others post-secondary institutions that may be eligible for the vaccine.
Phase 3 also includes critical business workers in critical infrastructure.
You can find the full list of essential industries here.
Reed said that different parts of the state are going through Oklahomans in Phases 1 and 2 at different rates, which is why the state is able to open eligibility for those in Phase 3.
As we see part of this capacity available across the state, this is our trigger point for opening up to more, “said Reed.
Reed encouraged all Oklahoma residents to schedule an appointment as soon as it is available to you. The state said the door remains open to all people in the previous groups and reiterated that it is an overlay plan that aims to get as many Oklahoma residents as possible with the vaccine.
Both Reed and Dr. Lance Frye call for continuous surveillance, despite the decline in the number of cases and the increase in vaccination in the state.
“COVID is still dangerous. We are concerned about people letting their guards fall. Every life is precious, so we all need to remain vigilant,” said Reed.
Watch the live update here.
You can find more information about the state’s stages for vaccine delivery here.