Oklahoma State Medical Association Backs State’s Decision To Open Vaccines To Out-Of-State Residents

The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced the state would open its borders to allow anyone who wants to get a COVID-19 vaccine to come get one starting on Thursday.

“While our focus has been and will continue to be on vaccinating Oklahomans, we have always known there would be a point at which supply and increasing capacity would allow us to welcome residents from neighboring states into Oklahoma to get vaccinated,” said OSDH Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed. “We are now reaching that point and are happy to extend a welcome to our neighbors as part of our efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the region. This virus does not adhere to boundaries drawn on a map, so by ensuring high vaccination rates across the region — not just Oklahoma — we are providing an extra layer of protection for our residents.”

Dr. Mary Clarke, the incoming president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said she backed their decision.

“Every state, every person has a stake in this,” Clarke said.

Clarke noted that even though we have an excess of vaccine to do this, that it doesn’t mean the supply will become less in the coming weeks for the state.

She hopes that this will help people who need the vaccine, but she said we still need to work on vaccinating all Oklahomans, even in rural areas.