State vaccine supply to increase next week
Some will be sent to a few Walmarts, network of community pharmacies
COVID-19 vaccine supplies are expected to increase about 5% next week in Oklahoma.
The 5% increase is in addition to an additional 11,500 doses added to the state's allocation in the Biden administration rollout of vaccine clinics in pharmacies.
Top state health officials said Wednesday pharmacy vaccine clinics starting next week initially would be limited to some Walmart locations and a network, RxSelect, of independent community pharmacies.
The mix of Pfizer and Modern a/ Bi oN tech v accines sent to Oklahoma under current distribution arrangements is expected to increase to 107,550 doses next week, f rom 103,000, said Keith Reed, deputy commissioner of health.
State Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye said Oklahoma's strategy of partnering with county health departments and health networks was working well and affording plenty of capacity for expansion.
“We just need some vaccine,” he said on a call with reporters from around the state.
Reed said 372,053 initial doses of the two-dose regimen had been administered
so far. He said 96,215 individuals had received the second dose. Those include nearly 700 Oklahoma City firefighters and police officers.
Frye and Reed were optimistic that the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine awaiting federal approval could be a factor in hastening the moment when individuals outside the 65-andover age group become eligible for vaccination.
The single-dose vaccine is “highly effective,” Frye said, and could be used to reach vulnerable populations, such as homeless individuals, who might be difficult to schedule for a second dose.
The two acknowledged the anxiety of those most at-risk who are still trying to line up an appointment for their first shot.
That could be aggravated the next few weeks as a greater share of the vaccine coming into the state must be reserved for second doses, they said. They counseled patience.
“They're not forgotten, but that doesn't get vaccine in their arms,” Reed said.
Individuals with limited or no access to the internet for the signup portal should call 211 to be connected to their county health departments. Public health officials get lists and call residents to schedule vaccinations, they said.
Shots provided at pharmacies will be free. Pharmacies can bill insurance for an administration fee but cannot bill for vaccine itself. Individuals getting the shots cannot be charged.
Frye said variants of the coronavirus had been identified by Oklahoma State University but said the picture was “gray.” Further study is necessary, said Frye, who added he is “not overly concerned.”