Oklahoma Officials Announce First Shipment of Pfizer Vaccine

The first shipments of the Pfizer vaccine have arrived in Oklahoma. Hospitals are working to distribute the two-shot vaccine to local health care workers.

On Friday, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Pfizer and the vaccine rolled out across the country.

“Given the difficulties of vaccine storage and the differences between the vaccines we’re going to have to be as flexible as possible as we rollout the vaccine throughout our distribution plan," said Dr. Lance Frye, with the Oklahoma state Commission of Health. 

The health department expects more than 160,000 doses by the end of the month. Many who have been on the frontlines of this pandemic said it’s been difficult for everyone.

“It’s long, it’s tiring,” said Hannah Brown, a registered nurse with Integris Health. “But we won’t stop fighting.”

White was the first Oklahoman to get the vaccine Monday afternoon. She is part of the phase one priority group. That includes health care workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, as well as some public health staff.

“If you have the option to get the vaccine, do it,” said White. “If not for yourself, do it for you mom, those people who are vulnerably ill.”

Health officials are hopeful all Oklahomans will have access to the vaccine in early 2021. 

Gov. Kevin Stitt said though this is a positive step forward, everyone needs to still take the necessary precautions..

“This is a major step to getting back to normal, but I want to be clear, we’re not going to get there overnight,” said Stitt.