Vaccine Clinics Rollout Across Oklahoma As Phase 2 Begins

Several Oklahomans received their vaccine Tuesday, as Cleveland County hosted its first clinic for those in phase 2, which includes people who are 65 and older.

The Cleveland County Health Department said it was able to vaccinate close to 1,000 people. It's a huge relief for those who've waited months for the shot.

“Since last March we have been staying in the house except the grocery store and to get our necessary drugs,” said Norman resident David Bell.

That's just one of the hundreds of people who left Sooner Mall with a new sense of relief after getting the first dose of the COVID vaccine.

“We pretty much stayed at home,” said Ellen Cantrell, Norman resident. “So, the hardest part was not being able to be with our family,”

The health department began vaccinating first responders, health workers, and those 65 and older.

As the state moves into phase 2 of its vaccine distribution plan, Points of Dispensing Sites or PODS will be distributed throughout each county.

“We know that these vaccines are lifesaving and so we want to get these into Oklahomans as quickly as possible,” said Sara King, with Region 6 county health departments.

However, Cleveland County health officials said their appointments filled up quickly. The same went for Oklahoma County, which filled its open vaccinations slots in moments. Health officials stress this process will take time.

“We’re all jumping on board to make this effort possible,” said King. “This is our priority focus as long as it takes us to get Oklahomans vaccinated, that’s what we’re going to do.”

But for those who managed to get the vaccine today, they say the experience was painless.

“Just like any other shot,” said Cantrell. “It was no pain, no problem at all.”

If you're in phase two, the health department said you will have other opportunities to get vaccinated statewide.