TULSA — Oklahoma has opted in to a new federal initiative to get private pharmacies involved in distributing COVID-19 vaccines.
Oklahoma Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said Wednesday that vaccinations through roughly 75 pharmacy locations statewide should begin as early as next week.
That means more supply of vaccine - roughly another 11,500 doses initially - as well as a significant increase in potential distribution sites.
It could also help take some of the pressure off the state’s vaccine scheduling portal.
Pharmacies participating in Oklahoma include selected Walmart locations, plus members of a pharmacy group called Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network, or CSEPN.
That includes locations like Economy Pharmacy or Freeland Brown in Tulsa and Broken Arrow.
The state’s two largest pharmacy chains, Walgreens and CVS, will not be a part of that program - although both companies have worked with the state to vaccinate residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
Cox Media Group