Health Officials Search For Helpful Solution To Assist Oklahomans Through Pandemic

People who do not have access to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment online said calling 211 is just the first step in a process.

"I would not expect people to go to 211 and expect to get an appointment. They would go and get assistance," Oklahoma deputy health commissioner Keith Reed said. “If someone does not have technology, they are collecting county information, finding the residence and sending that back to the county health department."

If you unable to book an appointment online, you have to call 211 to get the process started. A person on the phone will take down your name for your local health department to call you back when an appointment is available.

Some Oklahomans said they have waited for hours to talk to someone, but the state said they only see 15-minute wait times on average.

The health department has 35 to 40 people to answer general questions about the vaccine and the virus.

Once more pandemic providers are available, the state said it will change the course of action, allowing more opportunities to work outside the current system.

The state health department also wants to remind you that this hotline is not technical support.