I just booked my appointment for the shot at UNITY GYM. - Ponca City. I'm phase 2 and got the email at 7 this morning that said I'm eligible.

For next Thursday the 14.

Especially since the vaccines have limited shelf lives of 6 months...

California just relaxed it's eligibility rules to counter this. I'm sure others will at some point as well.

But even then, it just seems that we don't have enough people and places to actually give the shot. Until it's widely available at retail pharmacies, or we see some sort of mobile setup like testing sites, I don't see how we can reach any level of significant distribution. If the next admin really does want to do a million a day, I hope they have a different plan than how it's being done now.

I just booked my appointment for the shot at UNITY GYM. - Ponca City. I'm phase 2 and got the email at 7 this morning that said I'm eligible.

For next Thursday the 15.

Do you live in Kay County?

When I attempted to register I was told I was eligible and went to the page to select my location. I tried several locations but nothing happened and couldn't get any further than that page. Does anyone know if that is normal? I haven't received any kind of email notification so I don't know for sure if I am actually registered.

When I attempted to register I was told I was eligible and went to the page to select my location. I tried several locations but nothing happened and couldn't get any further than that page. Does anyone know if that is normal? I haven't received any kind of email notification so I don't know for sure if I am actually registered.

Same with me and my wife

Do you live in Kay County?

No, It doesn't matter what county you are in, as long as you are registered. I live in Canadian, my daughter is in the medical field and also lives in Canadian. One of her co-workers lives in Cleveland County and both are scheduled in Canadian County.

Welcome winds of change.https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/politics/biden-vaccine-strategy/index.html

When I attempted to register I was told I was eligible and went to the page to select my location. I tried several locations but nothing happened and couldn't get any further than that page. Does anyone know if that is normal? I haven't received any kind of email notification so I don't know for sure if I am actually registered.

This is normal. I put 100 miles for site locations. The further out you go the better chance of getting your shot. All the metro locations said 'none available at this time'. I finally found one and I got in. It takes you through another check point and then listed the time slots. I selected the noon to 12:15 slot because my daughter had tried a later time slot (last week) and it filled so she went back and selected in the middle of the day and got scheduled. I quickly got a conformation email with the details.

I registered my wife at 5:30PM, Wed. I just got the email response for her a couple minutes ago (1:55PM, Fri). So they are getting them out.

And we're both in Phase 2 but a later group.

This is normal. I put 100 miles for site locations. The further out you go the better chance of getting your shot. All the metro locations said 'none available at this time'. I finally found one and I got in. It takes you through another check point and then listed the time slots. I selected the noon to 12:15 slot because my daughter had tried a later time slot (last week) and it filled so she went back and selected in the middle of the day and got scheduled. I quickly got a conformation email with the details.

I'm Phase 2 and received the email that said I could sign up for an appointment and have tried probably 20 places. . some close, some much further away. When I get to the appointment page, it says "There are no records to display". . . .on every page. . .spent 3 hours on hold with the State Department of Health before I gave up. .

This gives some insight into what the problem is. According to the CDC, 264,000 doses have been distributed to Oklahoma, yet out of the 101k currently eligible that signed up, they could only schedule 2,761 appointments. We clearly do not have the infrastructure in place to actually meet demand. They can send us all the doses they want, but until there's enough people and places to handle and administer the vaccine, this is not going to work.

It hacks me off every time I see a news story and a worker implies the issue is vaccine supply, when I know the supply is rolling in a lot faster than they are getting it out.

“The key point is we can only do this as quickly as we can with vaccination availability,” said Fleming.

https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-city-county-health-departments-first-vaccine-clinic-for-those-65-booked-in-minutes/

I'm sure if pressed, she would say she meant, as fast and they can arrange staff to give vaccinations but that wasn't how it was presented in the video where they focused on a vial of vaccine while she made that claim.

I believe the largest issue is lack of staff, due in part to overload with Covid patients but more so, failure to plan ahead, get people trained and get infrastructure in place.

I realize most on here want to dog Oklahoma as much as possible, but looking at the CDC per 100k Oklahoma isnt doing that bad.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

Since staff/sites seem to be the problem I have what might be a dumb question. Do injection givers have to be licensed nurses, practitioners or such? Could EMTs, firefighters or maybe non-medical OSDH and county health dept employees be trained and used to administer injections. I remember when mom was in nursing school and practiced at home. Inter-muscular injections must be done safely but it isn't rocket science.

I'm Phase 2 and received the email that said I could sign up for an appointment and have tried probably 20 places. . some close, some much further away. When I get to the appointment page, it says "There are no records to display". . . .on every page. . .spent 3 hours on hold with the State Department of Health before I gave up. .

That is what happened to me also. After that I started over trying to register again. After I filled out the information again I did get a response finally that my application had already been received so that is somewhat encouraging. I still have not received an email so I guess I just have to wait for that before I can schedule an appointment.

If you don't mind driving a couple of hours to Medford, go to gsphealth.org. They currently have many slots available for Thursday, Jan 28.

Is there any way to tell if they are using the Moderna vaccine? This is the 2nd shot.

Is there any way to tell if they are using the Moderna vaccine? This is the 2nd shot.

If you go to the webpage where you sign up, the download documents are about the Moderna vaccine. I looked this morning for the same reason.

That is what happened to me also. After that I started over trying to register again. After I filled out the information again I did get a response finally that my application had already been received so that is somewhat encouraging. I still have not received an email so I guess I just have to wait for that before I can schedule an appointment.

. . to clarify. . I received the email that told me I could schedule an appointment. When I tried to do that (even using a 100 mile range), I got the "There are no records available". Presuming a "record" is an available appointment. Disappointing but will just keep trying. . .

. . to clarify. . I received the email that told me I could schedule an appointment. When I tried to do that (even using a 100 mile range), I got the "There are no records available". Presuming a "record" is an available appointment. Disappointing but will just keep trying. . .

Keep trying. It took me 4 hours before I got one to go through.

I got frustrated and quit looking for half an hour then at 11:30 am I got through to a Pod Site.

I would gladly volunteer as a POD worker if they would give me my two shots first! I bet many people would be willing to help. I can't give shots but I am really good at herding people and customer service!

Re: GSP Health in Medford - after getting an appointment for my in-laws, I heard that they are giving priority to people that received their 1st shot at that facility. A bummer for sure, but I understand. They say they don't know how much vaccine they get until that week. I guess it's back to the vaccinate.oklahoma.gov portal.....
FYI

Loved the quote in the Oklahoman from Keith Reed, Oklahoma Deputy Commissioner of Health "the vaccine portal...has seen extreme activity" (250,000 registrations). The state has 3 million residents - how many did they think would sign up? Uh, how about 3 million? Maybe design a system that can handle more than 10%.....

Re: GSP Health in Medford - after getting an appointment for my in-laws, I heard that they are giving priority to people that received their 1st shot at that facility. A bummer for sure, but I understand. They say they don't know how much vaccine they get until that week. I guess it's back to the vaccinate.oklahoma.gov portal.....
FYI

Very interesting, because when I scheduled our appointments there were no qualifying questions at all. I actually moved our appointments from Canton to Medford, and neither one asked for qualifying information and it shows our names in the appropriate time slot. Hopefully, if we drive a couple of hours we will be able to get the vacine.

Loved the quote in the Oklahoman from Keith Reed, Oklahoma Deputy Commissioner of Health "the vaccine portal...has seen extreme activity" (250,000 registrations). The state has 3 million residents - how many did they think would sign up? Uh, how about 3 million? Maybe design a system that can handle more than 10%.....In their defense. Since most polls say only 50%ish say their going to get vaccinated that cuts it to 1.5 million. Then you can figure that those that pretty much know they will be in Phase 3 or 4 might wait until the initial rush is over. Plus the 50,000 or so that already have been vaccinated or were already scheduled. Then there's those, albeit not too many, that are getting vaccinated through other means. So no where near 3mil would be expected.

Very interesting, because when I scheduled our appointments there were no qualifying questions at all. I actually moved our appointments from Canton to Medford, and neither one asked for qualifying information and it shows our names in the appropriate time slot. Hopefully, if we drive a couple of hours we will be able to get the vacine.

I spoke with the Medford director. I would check before driving up there.

. . to clarify. . I received the email that told me I could schedule an appointment. When I tried to do that (even using a 100 mile range), I got the "There are no records available". Presuming a "record" is an available appointment. Disappointing but will just keep trying. . .

I secured an appointment in Enid on the 20th after you posted this. At that time they had multiple choices. I'm guessing the availability was plentiful due to the culture in Enid.

I secured an appointment in Enid on the 20th after you posted this. At that time they had multiple choices. I'm guessing the availability was plentiful due to the culture in Enid.

Thx!! I'll keep trying.. .

Volunteers Needed: Oklahoma Volunteer Medical Corps is looking for volunteers to help with vaccination. No medical training necessary. okmrc.org

I spoke with the Medford director. I would check before driving up there.

Will do, thanks for the tip. Going to keep our slots booked, and maybe just call that week. Have a friend who is scheduled for Tuesday, so we'll see what happens with him also.

Have discovered that random openings are occasionally happening. Found several available slots in Ada yesterday, but missed out on getting them scheduled before someone beat me to them. Checked three different times today and found 6 available, once again in Ada, and my wife and I were able to book them. It only takes a minute or so to scroll the county health department list, so a few random checks through out the day is not that time consuming. I assume these are cancellations that open up, for whatever reason. Mine is not to ask why, but to say "thank you".

^

That is good to know.

When my number is called, I'll be happy to drive a couple of hours to get my jab.

Has anyone heard of an hospital in Oklahoma having to throw away vaccine doses like they are in New York?

https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-covid-19-vaccine-trash-unused-doses-2021-1

A family friend who is under 65 took her mom to get vaccinated, and ended up getting the vaccine herself. Apparently cancellations are frequent, and once the vaccine is brought up to temperature they need to use it then or it will be tossed.

A family friend who is under 65 took her mom to get vaccinated, and ended up getting the vaccine herself. Apparently cancellations are frequent, and once the vaccine is brought up to temperature they need to use it then or it will be tossed.

The only risk in that type of situation is that the second shot might not be available in the window in which you need it.

That's my concern.

A family friend who is under 65 took her mom to get vaccinated, and ended up getting the vaccine herself. Apparently cancellations are frequent, and once the vaccine is brought up to temperature they need to use it then or it will be tossed.

Moderna's doesn't need dilution and can be kept at room temp for 12 hours and can't be refrozen or put back in the fridge after it's been thawed, Pfizer's needs dilution and the undiluted vials can be kept at room temp for 2 hours and then the unmixed/undiluted vials can go back in the refrigerator (up to 5 days in a fridge), but can't be refrozen. At least that's what I gather from what I've read, but if anybody knows any different, feel free to correct me.

The only risk in that type of situation is that the second shot might not be available in the window in which you need it.

That's my concern.

That was my first question, but apparently she received a card which allows her to sign up for the second shot. I'll be curious to see if she's able to.

Looks like Trump administration is going with what Biden administration suggested and releasing the second dose reserves. This pushes the responsibility of making sure a second dose is available to the state/local level and provides an incentive to immunize the higher risk groups faster. We will eventually run into a manufacturing bottleneck again, but at least this will provide a short term boost in immunizations.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/politics/coronavirus-vaccine-distribution-rollout/index.html

A family friend who is under 65 took her mom to get vaccinated, and ended up getting the vaccine herself. Apparently cancellations are frequent, and once the vaccine is brought up to temperature they need to use it then or it will be tossed.

That's annoying. Hopefully, that doesn't happen too frequently with the cancellations.

Health Department just posted this! If you are eligible, jump on there fast!

OCCHD is holding multiple vaccination clinics this week & appointments are available on the state's scheduling tool. Our agency plans clinics as vaccine allotments are made available to us. To receive the #COVID19vaccine, you must have an appointment: https://vaccinate.oklahoma.gov/

Health Department just posted this! If you are eligible, jump on there fast!

OCCHD is holding multiple vaccination clinics this week & appointments are available on the state's scheduling tool. Our agency plans clinics as vaccine allotments are made available to us. To receive the #COVID19vaccine, you must have an appointment: https://vaccinate.oklahoma.gov/

The link just takes you to the registration page. I've already registered and am in Group 2. There is nothing on that page to make an appointment.

The link just takes you to the registration page. I've already registered and am in Group 2. There is nothing on that page to make an appointment.

Yes, that's why I said if you are eligible. It's like the Land Run for those who are 65+ right now!

Some already saying all 5000 are filled already. It was about 5 to 10 minutes after tweeted out.

The only risk in that type of situation is that the second shot might not be available in the window in which you need it.

That's my concern.

A lot of governments—including the Biden administration—are moving away from holding onto the second shot so more people can get more people the first shot. Statistically, it's a sound strategy even if there is some scientific uncertainty (there seems to be a belief that the first shot should still offer pretty solid protection for a while). In other words, I think a lot of people aren't going to be immediately scheduled for the second shot starting soon. Is that how other people understand it?

A lot of governments—including the Biden administration—are moving away from holding onto the second shot so more people can get more people the first shot. Statistically, it's a sound strategy even if there is some scientific uncertainty (there seems to be a belief that the first shot should still offer pretty solid protection for a while). In other words, I think a lot of people aren't going to be immediately scheduled for the second shot starting soon. Is that how other people understand it?

That's not how I understand it in the US. The thought is the supply is stable enough there will be vaccines available when the time comes, no need to hold back.

The testing was done such that the second shots were done at specific times so know one knows for sure what happens in the particular with these if there is a delay between shots, but some think a delay for some weeks on the second shot is not that impactful over the long run.

Larger issue at the present is we don't have enough people giving shots. Oklahoma, and many other states, have way more vaccine than they are going to inject anytime soon and it keeps coming in faster then they are getting it out.

Larger issue at the present is we don't have enough people giving shots. Oklahoma has way more vaccine than they are going to inject anytime soon and it keeps coming in faster then they are getting it out.
Where is this coming from? It’s not a problem @ OU.

Where is this coming from? It’s not a problem @ OU.

We have more on ice than we have administered total. The gap has closed somewhat over the last few days.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/?fbclid=IwAR3JVURR1wA1RhvonuKoV4Kek7YAlkmeBkl-FdjfEBuZ8iiiWAm28YqWQes#vaccinations

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/?fbclid=IwAR3JVURR1wA1RhvonuKoV4Kek7YAlkmeBkl-FdjfEBuZ8iiiWAm28YqWQes#vaccinations
So it’s not an issue in OK then?

Vaccine supply is not THE overriding issue in Oklahoma.

“We had been holding back second doses as a safety stock,” Azar said on ABC. “We now believe that our manufacturing is predictable enough that we can ensure second doses are available for people from ongoing production. So everything is now available to our states and our health care providers.”

Simultaneously, he gave states the green light to dramatically expand the pool of people eligible to receive vaccines.

“We are calling on our governors to now vaccinate people aged 65 and over, and under age 65 with a (health condition) because we have got to expand the group,” he said.

As of Monday morning, the government had distributed about 25.5 million doses to states, U.S. territories and major cities. But only about 9 million people had received their first shot. That means only about 35% of the available vaccines had been administered.

Initially, the shots were going to health care workers and nursing home residents. Those 75 and older were next in line. But problems arose even in vaccinating that limited pool of people. Some hospital and nursing home workers have been hesitant to get the vaccine. Scheduling issues created delays in getting shots to nursing homes.

Some states, including Arizona, have or are planning to open up mass vaccination centers, aiming to inoculate thousands of people a day in a single location. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis opened up vaccinations to people 65 and older. In other states, local health authorities have started asking residents 65 an older to register, in anticipation the vaccination campaign would be expanded.

“We’ve got to get to more channels of administration,” said Azar. “We’ve got to get it to pharmacies, get it to community health centers.

“We will deploy teams to support states doing mass vaccination efforts if they wish to do so,” he added.

https://apnews.com/article/us-coronavirus-vaccine-8e846e47cd71f39fed71dcd6700d729b

It's time for Oklahoma to step up. (As well as the rest of the country.) We can keep using the broken portal for those invested in it but we also need mass vaccination centers running.

The vaccination centers should be staffed 12 hours a day, 7 days a week at a minimum. Use the Air and National Guard health professionals to supplament those administering vaccines now.

I still fail to see where the number of people giving the vaccine is the issue... There are a number of issues, but that doesn’t seem to be one.

Vaccine supply is not THE overriding issue in Oklahoma.

The head of the OU covid program would disagree on your assessment of vaccine supply.

OU Health vaccinating less than 50 percent potential daily capacity, Bratzler says | Coronavirus | oudaily.com
http://www.oudaily.com/coronavirus/ou-health-vaccinating-less-than-50-percent-potential-daily-capacity-bratzler-says/article_2dd51386-543b-11eb-9692-4722c5302e2b.html

I still fail to see where the number of people giving the vaccine is the issue... There are a number of issues, but that doesn’t seem to be one.

The problem on where the bottle necks are is hard to address when the Stitt administration hides and blurs relevant information.

The head of the OU covid program would disagree on your assessment of vaccine supply.

OU Health vaccinating less than 50 percent potential daily capacity, Bratzler says | Coronavirus | oudaily.com
http://www.oudaily.com/coronavirus/ou-health-vaccinating-less-than-50-percent-potential-daily-capacity-bratzler-says/article_2dd51386-543b-11eb-9692-4722c5302e2b.html

I keep reading locals saying they don’t have vaccine and yet the CDC consistently reports we have had 2-3 times as much in our hands as we have administered. (I’ve been watching the numbers week over week.)

Is the CDC lying? My money is on a problem(s) in Oklahoma.

The problem on where the bottle necks are is hard to address when the Stitt administration hides and blurs relevant information.
100%!!

The problem on where the bottle necks are is hard to address when the Stitt administration hides and blurs relevant information.

Without a doubt. We need to cut through the shortage bs and hold the local government accountable.

Without a doubt. We need to cut through the shortage bs and hold the local government accountable.
Also 100%!

Vaccine supply is most certainly the overriding issue, currently. mkjeeves, the issue you're seeing with the gap between doses distributed to OK and doses administered is a result of two things:

1) we are holding back a substantial number of those doses for the 2nd dose. That policy may change with the announcement this morning from the Trump administration. If Oklahoma ceases to hold back the 2nd dose, which seems likely, we will see that gap close faster;

2) the vaccine scheduling tool went live later than anticipated, so we had effectively been stockpiling vaccine while we waited for the ability to schedule broader administration. With the scheduling tool live and appointments being scheduled, you should see a drastic reduction in the distributed/administered gap. In fact, we've already seen that reduction. Just last week, we were around 30% of distributed doses administered. Today, we are closer to 50%. That gap will close.

We have the infrastructure to administer. We just need more supply. But as I noted in another thread, ceteris paribus, I expect to see demand plateau in mid-Feb or March and we will then have more supply than demand.

I keep reading locals saying they don’t have vaccine and yet the CDC consistently reports we have had 2-3 times as much in our hands as we have administered. (I’ve been watching the numbers week over week.)

Is the CDC lying? My money is on a problem(s) in Oklahoma.

There is no basis whatsoever to take the word of Oklahoma state government officials over the word of CDC officials.
Additionally there is no basis to believe Stitt over the word of MD's running vaccination programs.

There's no basis to believe Stitt if he put out a press release that the sky is blue.

The head of the OU covid program would disagree on your assessment of vaccine supply.

OU Health vaccinating less than 50 percent potential daily capacity, Bratzler says | Coronavirus | oudaily.com
http://www.oudaily.com/coronavirus/ou-health-vaccinating-less-than-50-percent-potential-daily-capacity-bratzler-says/article_2dd51386-543b-11eb-9692-4722c5302e2b.html

The second paragraph tells you where the problem lies: Federal level. States can only give what the feds give them. Oklahoma has actually received vaccine allotments from the slower moving states. After todays announcement there will be more vaccine available. But even after releasing the reserves, there will come a time a few weeks into the future where we will be constricted to manufacturing supply.

The states will also be responsible for fitting in second dose people in the vaccination flow so this is going to impact the delta for first time vaccinations.


President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed is holding back half of the national supply of vaccines to ensure individuals who receive the first vaccine shot will be able to complete the recommended two-shot treatment. President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to release “nearly all available doses” closely following his Jan. 20 inauguration, giving some Oklahoma health leaders hope more vaccines will arrive soon.