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Oklahoma begins Phase II of vaccine rollout, but supplies remain limited

Vaccine distribution began in Oklahoma in late December

TULSA — Oklahoma kicked off Phase II of its vaccination program Monday, although the state health department admits Phase I continues, and not all categories in Phase II will actually get the shots just yet.

The goal, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Lance Frye, is to use the supplies Oklahoma has on hand as quickly and efficiently as possible.

So, any left over vaccine from Phase I will start going into the arms of Oklahomans 65 or older.

HEAR OUR KRMG IN-DEPTH REPORT ON THE BEGINNING OF PHASE TWO

Younger people with underlying conditions will not yet receive vaccines.

The main issue is that the state has no idea how much vaccine it will receive until just days before it arrives, making long-term planning - and predictions of how long the process will take - all but impossible.

Currently, the state learns on Tuesdays how much vaccine it will receive for the next week.

To further complicate matters, each dose has to be followed up with a second dose; these are dubbed the “primary” and “booster” doses.

The state expects to receive one “booster” dose for each “primary” dose shipped earlier, about 28 days later.

That’s the protocol for the Moderna vaccine, which health officials say is what they’re distributing to the counties.

It will take some time to get enough vaccine for everyone, so Dr. Frye urges patience.

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