The wait for the COVID-19 vaccine is finally over for some Oklahomans as the Cleveland County Health Department hosted its first vaccine clinic Tuesday.
The clinic was hosted at Normanâs Sooner Mall and offered vaccinations to individuals that fell into the Phase 2 category: first responders, healthcare workers and individuals aged 65 and older.
Jackie Kanak, CCHD regional administrative director, said the clinic was filled within an hour with residents excited to get the vaccine.
âWe didnât know what to expect,â Kanak said. â. People were a little bit hesitant about the vaccine at first, but I think as they saw other people receive it and not have reactions to it, more people hopped on board.â
By: Hunter McKee
NORMAN, Okla. -
Several Oklahomans received their vaccine Tuesday, as Cleveland County hosted its first clinic for those in phase 2, which includes people who are 65 and older.
The Cleveland County Health Department said it was able to vaccinate close to 1,000 people. It s a huge relief for those who ve waited months for the shot.
“Since last March we have been staying in the house except the grocery store and to get our necessary drugs,” said Norman resident David Bell.
That s just one of the hundreds of people who left Sooner Mall with a new sense of relief after getting the first dose of the COVID vaccine.
Jan 6, 2021
Oklahoma Commissioner of Health Lance Frye, M.D., speaks during a news conference July 9 in Oklahoma City. Despite rising numbers of confirmed cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infections in Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said he remains opposed to mandating that residents wear masks. AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has released its online COVID-19 vaccination scheduling portal, which is now open for pre-registration.
Anybody can pre-register in the portal, but starting Thursday, eligible individuals will be able to schedule appointments based on availability in their area.
The portal determines eligibility through a questionnaire that asks specific questions about age, co-morbidities, profession and more.
COVID-19 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 3,305 new COVID-19 cases in the state on Wednesday â including 90 new cases in Norman â as hospitalizations hit an all-time high and Oklahoma recorded dozens of additional deaths.
Normanâs cumulative case total is now at 9,994, with 8,817 recoveries. Norman has recorded 90 COVID-related deaths.
The Cleveland County Health Department began its first vaccination clinic on Tuesday at Normanâs Sooner Mall. While signups for the clinic are closed for the foreseeable future, the state has launched an online vaccination portal that Oklahomans can use to pre-register for the vaccine and receive a notification when they are eligible.
The Cleveland County Health Department announced a new plan on Wednesday for when COVID-19 vaccines could be available for some residents.
Last week, the Health Department announced it could be months before a majority of Cleveland County residents would be able to receive a vaccination for COVID-19. Now, after consulting the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, that framework has changed.
Here are five things to know about COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the county:
Supplies are still limited
Because vaccine supplies are currently limited, distribution will be rolled out in phases.
The Health Department and the county are developing a mass vaccination plan starting later in January, starting with the oldest people in the community.