OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the state of Oklahoma on Monday.
"Today is a historic day. Less than 72 hours after the Federal Drug Administration cleared the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the first doses are here in Oklahoma and being distributed to our frontline healthcare workers," said Gov. Stitt. "We know we are not out of the woods yet with this virus, but today is a major step in the right direction as we work toward protecting the health and lives of all Oklahomans, keeping our businesses open safely and getting our kids back in school in January."
Officials said 33,000 doses arrived in Oklahoma. Saint Francis got the first batch of vaccines in Tulsa. A total of 166,000 doses are expected in the state by the end of the year.
Jake Henry Jr., Saint Francis Health System president and chief executive officer said, “While today is certainly a day of excitement for the arrival of the vaccine to this region, it is also a day to reflect on how far we have come in the past 10 months. It is a time to commend the researchers, scientists and public health professionals who made this day possible. It is a day to mourn those we have lost. And it is a day—like every day—to thank and honor the heroes on the front lines of the fight against this virus. This vaccine is not a cure, it is a call to recommit ourselves to working together. Hope is on the horizon, but we must remain vigilant.”
Last week, Oklahoma State Department of Health leaders and health experts announced the coronavirus Vaccine Priority Groups.
READ MORE: OSDH announce updates to coronavirus Vaccine Priority Groups
The first Oklahoman to receive the vaccine was Hannah White, a registered nurse with INTEGRIS Health who has been serving on the frontlines of COVID-19 since March.
WATCH press conference below:
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