OSDH Moves Into Final Round Of Its Phase 2 COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

The Oklahoma State Department of Health says as of Monday, the final group of Oklahomans in Phase two are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

This includes residents in congregate locations, like jails, public transit systems, and homeless shelters. Elected officials are also a part of this group.

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

OSDH says this group includes around 21,000 Oklahomans throughout the state.

Homeless Alliance executive director Dan Straughan says their shelters reduced capacity in order to properly social distance, which impacted many who are homeless.

Vaccine distribution will help them get back to normal operations and allow them to serve more people.

“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,” Straughan said.

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

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

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

The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s deputy commissioner Keith Reed says, "Phase 3, we are looking at two main categories there. (It) is our essential workforce, which is a pretty broad category, and then there is the expanded education group."