Oklahomans Driving Long Distances To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Oklahomans are free to sign up to receive the vaccine anywhere in the state. For some, like Jerry Payne and his wife, that means traveling hundreds of miles to secure a slot at a convenient time.

“We traveled to Lawton, Oklahoma which is probably over 100 miles. It's about an hour and a half drive,” Payne said.

Payne said the drive was nothing major. He said he'd travel as far as he needed if it means he will be around longer for his family.

“Even though we're in good health that COVID-19 doesn't care if you're in good health or bad health,” Payne said.

Terri Salisbury with the Oklahoma State Department of Health said there's been dozens of people like Payne traveling to her region to receive the vaccine. They tell her smaller counties are easier to work with.

“They have been able to contact the local health department if they've been having technology difficulties. So that one-on-one attention is probably part of that because it is difficult for some of them to navigate the electronic portals,” Salisbury said.

Payne said they're going back to Lawton in February to receive the second dose of the vaccine.