Healthier Oklahoma Coalition Releases Statewide Poll On Oklahomans' Attitudes On Businesses & Vaccines

A new poll showed most Oklahomans want a hands-off approach from the government when it comes to vaccine mandates.

The poll was done statewide with 500 Oklahomans of all ages and political views.

"Only 1 in 9 Oklahoma voters believe that the government should prohibit any employer from putting any kind of request on their own employees," said Pat McFerron, the president of Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates.

McFerron said their poll showed 60% of Oklahomans believe the government should not interfere with a business's decision to require the vaccine for its employees.

Meanwhile, 25% said they believe the government should require employees to roll up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Oklahoma is a populous state and doesn't like interference with employer and employee relations, and from a political standpoint it is best to leave those alone," said McFerron.

Right now, a federal appeals court has blocked the Biden administration's mandate that ordered companies with more than 100 employees to require employees get the vaccine or undergo weekly COVID testing starting January 4.

"That is a work in progress," said Dr. Mary Clarke, the president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association.

Clarke said they are keeping a close eye on what ends up happening.

"You have to take into account where the population is," said Clarke. "Sometimes even though we would like to make it a requirement, sometimes helping people know where they are starting from and bringing them along is the best way to do that."

While waiting to see where the lawsuit goes from here, Clarke said the biggest concern continues to be Oklahoma's low vaccination rate.

"We can help walk people down that path of letting them understand why they should be vaccinated," said Clarke.

As of Tuesday, more than 50% of Oklahoma's population has been fully vaccinated.