Tulsa Health Systems Providing Patients With Access To COVID-19 Vaccines

More people are getting vaccinated against COVID-19 through their health systems rather than local health departments.

Patients told News On 6 they prefer this route since it's easier to sign up and faster to get their shot.

Health systems like Ascension Saint John told News On 6 they're getting positive feedback.

Patients are able to sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations through a phone call or text. They often get their shot the same week they make an appointment.

Ruth Young shared with News On 6 what she feels was a positive vaccination experience. 

"I've always wanted the vaccine,” Young said. “I was never a doubter or anything like that, and then my significant other became really ill with COVID for two months and was in ICU and all that.”

The 71-year-old was infected with COVID-19 in November and experienced minor symptoms.

Last month, Young said she signed up through the state health department's vaccination portal but didn't hear back.

Then, last Monday, she got a surprise text last from Ascension Saint John, where she had been a patient.

Two days later, she received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Ascension Saint John in Tulsa. Young said she was in and out in 20 minutes.

“It gave me a lot of hope, and it's very liberating, you know,” Young said. “I can kind of see an end in sight to this." 

Ascension Medical Group chief operating officer Ramona Miller said approximately 3,600 patients have been vaccinated.

Miller said the staff are in constant communication with state and local health departments.

“We usually know about four or five days before how much vaccine they're going to give to us, and so, we immediately start opening our scheduling platforms so patients can sign up at that time, and then we just block out the number of vaccines that we have available that week,” Miller said.

Ascension’s vaccination clinic is located in Tulsa, but Miller said there are plans to expand to 10 other locations when more vaccines are available.

Meanwhile, Saint Francis Health System has administered 8,900 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 3,500 second doses to its patients.

Hillcrest HealthCare System has also been vaccinating its patients by running limited vaccine clinics, especially in regional areas.

These health systems are vaccinating patients by appointments only and will contact their patients when they are eligible.

If your provider is not administering vaccinations, you are recommended to sign up through the state health department's portal by clicking here.