Local Health Departments in Oklahoma are making COVID-19 vaccination a top priority to protect community health.
 “We are excited to provide the vaccine to community members,” said Mendy Spohn, Regional Administrative Director for Oklahoma State Department of Health District 8. “We are viewing this as our light at the end of the tunnel with the pandemic. We urge all eligible Oklahomans to get the vaccine as soon as it is available to them. There will be continuing supplies coming into the state, and we will keep adding populations to the eligibility list as soon as we can open it up.”
 Weekly ongoing vaccination events in Ardmore, Ada, and Duncan are starting the first week of January.
 Grady County Health Department began taking appointments on Monday morning this week by phone and online signup will be available as soon as possible. Grady County Health Department phone number is (405) 224-2022.

 Caddo County Health Department in Anadarko reports on their facebook page that this week, their appointments for the vaccination is full and they are also working events in other areas of Southwest Oklahoma. You are urged to make appointments on line, however if you do not have access to online service, the Caddo County Health Department office number is (405) 247-9502.
 There are smaller events and strike teams are being scheduled in all ounties as supplies and staffing allow. Residents and staff in long-term care facilities will receive vaccination through contracts with CVS or Walgreen’s, or from local health departments.
 Online appointments will be available through links on the County Health Department’s Facebook pages, but walk-ins will also be accepted throughout the day. Plans are underway to reach those who are medically fragile, homebound, or unable to walk or sit.
 The vaccination clinics at this time are open to first responders, healthcare workers, and Oklahomans aged 65 and up. Those currently under isolation or quarantine recommendations are told not to attend.
 Updates will be posted on each County Health Department’s Facebook page. The Health Department expects to open up quickly to other populations in Phase 2 as more vaccines are received.
 “We definitely have a sense of urgency based on what our medical partners are seeing in the hospitals due to this virus.” Spohn said. “Please help our healthcare system by continuing to wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance as these are still key components of minimizing the spread of COVID at this time.”
 For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit oklahoma.gov/covid19/vaccine-information or call 211.