By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
The Canadian County Health Department is offering clinics to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, and some first responders and medical workers already are getting their second doses.
The Oklahoma State Health Department has started adding “booster specific events” on the vaccinate.oklahoma.gov portal, members of the Yukon COVID-19 Task Force were told this week.
People are asked to get their second “booster” dose at the same place they received the first dose – some 21 days after for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days after for the Moderna vaccine.
“Both manufacturers recommend a four-day window before or after this date and it is okay if someone receives the second dose later,” said Maggie Jackson, the CCHD’s community engagement and planning director.
The public may pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment through the state health department’s vaccine portal.
“You will be emailed when an appointment becomes available,” Jackson explained. “We will not be adding appointments until we have vaccine available.”
A scheduled vaccine appointment is required; the health department accepts no walk-ins. People must fill out a short questionnaire when they register providing demographic details, medical history, COVID-19 history, and contact information.
Although anyone is welcome to register using the vaccinate.oklahoma.gov portal, state health officials recommend waiting until they have confirmation their priority group is being served.
VACCINE CLINICS
Even those who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 are advised to get the vaccine because people can become re-infected.
About 1,200 healthcare workers, first responders and residents age 65 and above received the COVID-19 vaccine during a recent clinic at Redlands Community College in El Reno.
These are the three “priority groups” in phase two of Oklahoma’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Through a federal program, CVS and Walgreens are administering the COVID-19 vaccine at nursing homes and assisted living centers.
For example, Yukon’s Spanish Cove Retirement Village had a vaccination clinic Saturday, Jan. 16 for its residents and staff.
Several health department-sponsored vaccination clinics have been conducted in Canadian County, including a large event in Yukon.
Yukon Mayor Shelli Selby, Yukon police officers, firefighters and other front-line emergency personnel were vaccinated during a day-long clinic Dec. 31 at the Yukon Community Center, 2200 S Holly.
Members of the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps are among volunteers helping the health department with staffing at the large vaccination clinics in Canadian County.
For more information, call the CCHD (354-4872 or 262-0042) or visit http://www.coronavirus.health.ok.gov.
