OK vaccine distribution among fastest in nation, but Tulsa lagging says Stitt's office

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Let's start with the good news: According to the CDC, Oklahoma continues to stay in or near the top ten when it comes to the number of vaccines administered per capita.

"We have received in Tulsa County, not including what we're expecting this week, about 23,175 first doses of vaccine. While the numbers don't look like a high number of people, we're having to hit everybody twice with that vaccine and it's going to take a little while to get through all the individuals," said Alicia Etgen with THD.

But Gov. Kevin Stitt's office says it could be faster.

While Oklahoma City-County Health Department has administered 68% of all the vaccines they have been given, the governor's office says Tulsa has only used 40% so far. Dr. Bruce Dart with the Tulsa County Health Department says that's just one way to look at the numbers.

"In Oklahoma City, they have more people so of course, I think they are going to have more people being vaccinated, but I think if you look per capita we're very close. If you look at what our health department has done and what Oklahoma City-County Health Department has done, we've actually done a little bit better on a per capita basis," said Dr. Dart.

THD also says their data lags behind where they actually are in terms of vaccines administered, so they are likely thousands more people ahead than the state may see. Regardless, the system is limiting until we get more vaccines.

"Eventually, we really are hoping there will be more vaccines available so they can go through their primary care provider or a pandemic provider or possibly a pharmacy. The sooner the better on getting some of those doses out," said Ellen Niemitalo with THD.

That is not just an Oklahoma or a Tulsa bottleneck though. The entire country is trying to get their hands on this vaccine, and right now there's only so much to go around.