Oklahoma Man Creates Website To Notify Residents Of Available Vaccine Appointments

As COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to fill up quickly across the state, one local resident is making it a little easier for people. He created a website which will alert you once an appointment becomes available. News 9's Hunter McKee has the story.

Monday, January 25th 2021, 6:01 pm



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As COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to fill up quickly across the state, one local resident is making it a little easier for people. 

He created a website which will alert you once an appointment becomes available.

Josh Wright said it all started when he was constantly refreshing the Oklahoma vaccine website each day trying to book an appointment for his father-in-law.

“We were kind of watching it for a few days and recognized the challenge of it,” said Wright.

With a background in software development, he decided to build a system that would help him keep track of the appointments.

“I just created a site that would text message me when an appointment was available,” said Wright. “It worked pretty well.”

After the success, he decided that maybe the website could help others. He made the website public earlier this month. 

The way it works is after you register through the state’s vaccine portal, you can enter your phone number through his website and each time something opens, you’ll get a text message.

“We added an update yesterday where you can choose what region of Oklahoma you’re in and what distance you’re willing to drive,” said Wright. “Whether you need the first dose or the second dose.”

Wright said a couple thousand people have signed up each day and now they’re sitting at over 7,300.

“I have literally dozens of people email me and say thank you,” said Wright.

He said the site can monitor the entire state. However, it does not schedule an appointment for you. It only alerts you when there’s availability.

Wright said they’re also looking for possible funding from the state as they’ve spent over $1,700 on text messages.

Click here to visit the website.

Wright has also started a GoFundMe to help pay for website and texting costs. You can find the link to the GoFundMe here.

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