COVID-19 vaccine coming to Oklahoma

Posted on: 12/11/20

The FDA is expected to approve the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) today for the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer to be given to the American public. 

The Oklahoma State Department of Health along with the county health departments have been planning for the distribution of the vaccine for several months. 

It is believed that the manufacturer Moderna will receive an EUA next week. As the governor said in his press conference, Oklahoma will receive 166,000 doses before the end of the year. Leadership also warns that this is and will be a fluid process that may vary slightly.

According to the determined priority list, health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients in acute care hospitals and EMS will be the first to receive the vaccine. Long-term care workers and patients are also in the first priority group.

The first doses will be distributed to employees in large facilities to maximize the vaccine as it has a limited shelf life, particularly after the packaging is opened and certainly after it is thawed and reconstituted. As more vaccine becomes available, the health departments have plans for statewide distribution.

If you have not talked with your county health department to develop a plan for your employees, you should do so. Hospitals should be determining which employees will be priority to receive the vaccine and who is willing to be vaccinated. Actually creating a roster should be done now for efficiency when the vaccine becomes available and is distributed. 

To see the statewide plan, click here. (LaWanna Halstead)