More Oklahomans Will Be Eligible For COVID Vaccine As Phase 2 Continues

More Oklahomans will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday. The Oklahoma State Department of Health said the rest of Phase 2 will be eligible. 

Oklahoma is in the top 10 nationwide in vaccine distribution. Oklahoma County has had more than 20 percent of their residents who have already been vaccinated.

“This includes 674,884 Oklahomans that have received at least one dose,” state deputy health commissioner Keith Reed said.

There are still thousands more who are waiting their turn. This week could open a new door for many. 

The OSDH said staff and residents in congregate locations are eligible in this next phase, which includes jails, public transit systems, elected officials and homeless shelters.

“Once we can start upwards of 40, 50, 60 percent of the homeless population vaccinated, then we’ll be able to go back to filling up those shelters,” Homeless Alliance executive director Dan Straughan said.

Straughan said their shelters reduced capacity in order to properly social distance, which impacted many who lived on the streets.

“Being able to get back to more normal operations in our shelters and kind of push people through that system,” Straughan said.

Straughan said the shelter hopes to reach their goal within a month. The Homeless Alliance plans to administer 500 COVID-19 vaccines per week.

“That should help to reduce the unsheltered homeless population,” Straughan said.

The OSDH said it anticipates moving into Phase 3 next month.