Legislators offered COVID-19 vaccine
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has begun making COVID-19 vaccines available to the nearly 150 members of the Oklahoma Legislature.
The Health Department offered vaccines to legislators this week, said John Est us, spokesman for House Speaker Charles McCall.
"The department recommended legislators be vaccinated for continuity of government and due to their frequent travel and public interaction across the state," Estus said ." House members were notified of the availability this week and can receive the vaccine if they choose."
It' s not clear how many legislators have opted to receive the vaccine through the Health Department.
Both McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, plan to take the COVID-19 vaccines. Treat spokesman Aaron Cooper said the Health Department notified the Senate last week that a limited number of doses were available for senators to receive immediately.
"In addition to ensuring the continuity of government, by receiving the vaccination, legislators can bolster public confidence in the safety and efficacy of vaccinations and the importance of Oklahomans getting vaccinated to bring an end to this health crisis," Cooper said.
Some lawmakers work in health care settings and have received vaccines through their work. Rep. Ken Lutt re ll, R-P on ca City, who is over age 65, said he already received his first dose through t he Kay County Health Department.
Some legislators intend to wait until doses become more available. House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said he plans to take the COVID- 19 vaccine, but he will wait until doses are available to the general public.
Keith Reed, Oklahoma's deputy commissioner of health, previously said phase two includes elected officials and senior state, city and county government leaders necessary for the continuity of government. As a key part of government, those officials play a role in pandemic response, he said.
The Health Department recommends legislators take the vaccine ahead of the 2021 legislative session, according to a spokesman for the agency. There won't be a specific vaccination clinic or event for legislators or elected officials at the Capitol and the date of their vaccinations could vary.
The state is continuing to vaccinate health care workers, first responders, residents in long-term care facilities and Oklahomans age 65 and older.
Phase two of the state's vaccine plan also includes teachers and adults of any age with severe underlying medical conditions. The state has not yet begun widespread vaccinations for these groups.
At the federal level, members of Congress were among some of the first Americans offered COVID-19 vaccines. The Capitol's attending physician said the vaccines were offered" to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations."
Legislators returned to the Oklahoma state Capitol last week to prepare for the four-month legislative session that begins Feb. 1. Many did not wear mask sin the building, despite a rule that Capitol visitors must wear masks inside when physical distancing is not possible.
A spokesman for the Health Department did not respond to questions about when COVID- 1 9 vaccines will be offered to statewide elected officials or how many leg isl ators have signed up to be vaccinated.
Gov. Kevin Stitt and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, both Republicans, have said they plan to take the vaccine. A spokesman for Stitt said there's no timeline yet for when the governor will get vaccinated.