State officials initially planned to schedule vaccination appointments through an application from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but then hired Microsoft to create an application from scratch after discovering that CDC technology did not meet the needs of Oklahoma. The launch of the application was also delayed a few days because vaccination location sites had to be introduced into the system.
Ensuring equal access to vaccines, even for those with no technological knowledge or those without Internet access, is a challenge, Reed said. Those who are quicker in the draw and can register online early are likely to get the vaccine sooner.
“It’s a legitimate concern,” he said. “It’s something we keep working on every day. Frankly, this whole process … will be a very difficult process, it will be a long process and there will be many challenges. “
The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Lance Frye said he expects Oklahoma to receive more COVID-19 vaccines in the near future so more people can be vaccinated.
As of Jan. 1, Oklahoma had received 174,900 doses of vaccine and administered 50,330, according to state data. The remaining doses have already been allocated.
“We would like to get this vaccine out as soon as possible,” Frye said. “We will try to make it available to every person and keep working until we get there. Unfortunately, right now, our supply is not as robust as we would like it to be.”
Most Oklahomans who receive a 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 immunization plan are adults of any age with severe underlying medical conditions, K-12 teachers and support staff, and staff and residents in congregated locations such as prisons, jails, and prisons. shelters for the homeless. These groups are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines at this time.