Is the vaccine safe? Yes, the vaccines that will be available to Oklahomans are safe and effective. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administraton) has rigorous scientific and regulatory processes in place that ensure the safety, effectiveness and quality of COVID-19 vaccines. Throughout the entire process, the vaccines were evaluated for their safety and efficacy. Oklahomans should feel confident in receiving the vaccines. Both the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine have been shown in late-stage vaccine trials to be safe and very effective, 94.5% and 95% effective, respectively. We encourage all Oklahomans to receive the vaccine when it becomes available to them.

If I had COVID-19 already, do I still need to take the vaccine? The CDC recommends receiving the vaccine, even if having had COVID-19. The protection someone gains from having an infection (called natural immunity) varies depending on the disease, and it varies from person to person. Since this virus is new, the CDC does’t know how long natural immunity might last. The CDC reports that some early evidence suggests that natural immunity may not last very long. Getting the vaccine, even after having had COVID-19, will help protect those vaccinated and others.

Can I stop following the 3 W’s (wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance) once I’ve gotten the vaccine? The CDC strongly recommend Oklahomans continue to follow the 3 W’s, even after receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Stopping a pandemic requires all the tools available. The CDC knows the vaccine is effective at protecting recipients from COVID-19 — but may still be able to spread it to others. Right now, CDC has not determined if or when it will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus. Medical experts still need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before making that decision.

Source: https://oklahoma.gov/covid19/vaccine-information.html

I need to get vaccinated for Covid-19. What should I do first?

In order to register for a vaccination, you must have an email account. If you don’t currently have an email address, you can easily set one up on a computer or cell phone for free. Try ProtonMail, Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or Zoho Mail that all have a free email option. Once your email is set up, you must register on the Vaccine Scheduler Portal. When registration is complete you can check your eligibility and browse and schedule an appointment for vaccination.

What is the Vaccine Schedular Portal?

The Vaccine Scheduler Portal is an online scheduling tool to help Oklahomans determine when they are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and help them schedule an appointment when it is their turn.

What if I don’t have access to the Internet or a mobile device?

• Try asking a family member or friend to assist you with the registration process.

• Call 211 to determine if you’re eligible for an appointment.

• Oklahomans are encouraged to use the portal if they are able for a quicker, more efficient registration.

Who can register right now?

Anyone is able to pre-register and enter their information. However, only Oklahoma residents who are 65 years of age or older, as well as healthcare workers and first responders will be able to schedule appointments in the system.

What is the difference between pre-registration and scheduling an appointment?

Pre-registration allows anyone in Oklahoma to register their contact information with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and indicate that they would like to be notified when the vaccine is available to them.

After you enter your information, if you’re eligible to receive the vaccine, you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule your appointment.

Does registering allow me to move forward in line to get the vaccine?

No, registering will not change when you receive your vaccine. There is no list for Oklahomans to be added to in order to be included in the state’s phased approach to vaccine distribution.

However, registering and providing your contact information will make it easier for the state to notify you when it is your turn.

What happens once I enter my information?

When you use the portal to enter your information, a message will be sent to the email address you provide to let you know if you are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time. If you are part of a priority group currently eligible to receive the vaccine, you will be able to schedule your appointment. The email will direct you to the portal to schedule your appointment.

When can I use the Vaccine Schedular Portal to schedule my appointment?

If you are part of a priority group currently eligible to receive the vaccine, you will be able to register immediately for your appointment. The email you receive after registration will direct you back to the portal to schedule your appointment based on vaccine availability at the location you select.

Once you schedule your appointment, a confirmation email will be sent to you with a QR code and a record of your appointment time and location.

You will also receive email reminders as your appointment date approaches.

You will need a photo ID and the QR code from your confirmation email to check in to your appointment on the day of. Be sure to print the email and take it to your appointment.

I have registered and am part of the current vaccine phase, but there are no appointment slots available. What do I do?

If you qualify to sign up for an appointment at this point in time, you should receive a link to sign up for an appointment once they become available.

Due to the high volume of sign-ups at this time, it’s possible that time slots may be limited. Please note, appointment availability is dependent on the current vaccine supply in each county.

The best time each week to check for available appointments is between 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday to 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. However, you can use your sign-up link to check for appointments at any time.

Why are there so few appointments available?

The number of appointments depends on the availability of the vaccine. The state and counties receive a weekly supply of the vaccine that determines the number of appointments that can be booked. With demand being so high, it is expected that time slots will fill up quickly.

If all slots are filled, you can check back periodically for the next available appointment. The best times each week to check for appointments are between 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and 8:00 a.m. on Thursday.

I pre-registered but didn’t get a confirmation email.

This is likely because you’re not in the current phase group, but you will be notified when the vaccine is available to you.

It should be noted that registering early does not guarantee an appointment slot when your phase opens; it simply makes the booking process quicker.

What emails should I expect to receive from the Vaccine Portal?

Currently, there are only two emails that you should expect from this system. One is a registration confirmation email and the other is a phase confirmation email that contains a link to set up an appointment.

I didn’t get a chance to finish my registration/accidentally abandoned the registration before finished/keep getting an error message saying I have already registered. What do I do?

If a user has to abandon a registration session, be advised that they will need to wait 24 hours for the system to reset before being able to use the same email address again.

What do I do if I need to make a change to my registration information?

The portal does not allow for changes after a form is submitted.

If you made a mistake on your registration or need to update information, you will need to register your information again using a new email address.

What happens if I have to cancel or reschedule my appointment?

You will be able to cancel or reschedule your appointment through the Vaccine Scheduler Portal. However, because these appointments are in high demand we ask that you schedule carefully to avoid any potential conflicts.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

You will have to reschedule and book another appointment at the next available time slot. As these time slots are high in demand, please remember to mark your calendars and set reminders in order to avoid missing appointments.

What happens after my first appointment? How do I know when to get my second dose?

The COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require a second dose. You need both doses in order for the vaccine to work correctly. Once you attend your first vaccine appointment, you will receive a follow-up email with a countdown and an opportunity to schedule your second dose appointment.

Can I register and schedule an appointment for several people in the same household at the same time?

The same email may be used to register people in your household, however each registration must be entered separately. You may register other members of your household by entering their individual information into the system. As appointments become available for each individual, they will be notified via email.

How do I check for available appointments each week?

When you’re eligible to receive the vaccine, you’ll receive an email with a direct link that is unique to you to sign up for available appointments. Keep this email handy in your inbox as you will need to use it to check back for new appointment slots each week. If you’re having trouble finding available appointments, we encourage you to check back periodically throughout the week for new openings. The best time each week to check for new appointments is between 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and 8:00 a.m. on Thursday.