TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The Eastern Oklahoma VA vaccinated 800 Veterans at the Eastgate Metroplex in Tulsa on Saturday.
This was the largest clinic hosted by the VA. They have distributed 200 to 300 vaccines a day before this effort.
"We've been planning this for several weeks," said Mark Morgan. CEO and Health Care System Director for Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. "As we get more vaccines we are contacting more Veterans and more Veterans are also contacting us."
Morgan said the winter storm pushed back the event.
More than 50 staff members helped the Veterans at the clinic.
Pharmacists prepared the vaccine at the location and five drive-thru tents were set to administer the doses.
Ed Burnett, a Vietnam Veteran and Oklahoma Purple Heart recipient said the process only took about 10 minutes.
"I don’t think they’re going to steer me wrong, so I took advantage of it as soon as I could," Burnett said.
He received his second dose of the Moderna vaccine at the clinic.
"I have heard guys say they are not sure yet because they haven’t heard enough data but I went ahead and got it," said Burnett.
The Eastern Oklahoma VA plans to host more mass vaccination clinics.
They also received doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine that will be distributed in rural parts of Green Country.
"This is going to be a regular event for us," said Morgan. "We will be having events like this in Tulsa, also we will continue with drive-thru clinics in Muskogee, and then we’ll also do different events down in McAlester and up in Vinita as well."
Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are eligible to book an appointment by calling 888-397-8387.
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