LAWTON, Okla. — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt joined state and local health officials at a hospital in Lawton Wednesday afternoon with updated information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Oklahoma.
“This week, this is a major milestone in our fight, but there’s still going to be difficult days ahead,” Stitt said. “Remember, it’s still going to take several months to get this vaccine to everyone, so we really can’t take our foot off the gas.”
Health officials said the Lawton hospital received its initial distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with the first doses prioritized for front-line health care workers.
“We’re trying, if possible, to get them done this month, but we know that depends on uptake,” said Oklahoma Health Commissioner Dr. Lance Frye. “We are not going to slow down giving vaccines waiting on a particular group. If they don’t show up for a particular vaccine, we’re moving on to the next person. Now, they won’t lose their place in line; they can come back any time and still get in; so we’re going to move through as quickly as possible.”
Stitt said all Oklahomans will have their turn, no matter where in the state they live.
“We’re going to give this vaccine to everyone who needs it as fast as we can,” he said, adding that while it could take several months to get the vaccine to everyone, he said there is now “light at the end of the tunnel.”
