The city of Muskogee is launching a program to vaccinate hundreds of people per week. City leaders said they are doing that by partnering with local pharmacies and health clinics, as well as setting up a weekly "point of dispensing."
At Ernie's Pharmacy in Muskogee, pharmacy owner, Niki Sykora, said it's a mad rush to vaccinate Oklahomans.
"Ernie's pharmacy is actually very proud to be the first certified pharmacy in the state to get the vaccine. We are doing about 60 a day and we hope to do more," Sykora said.
Sykora said her pharmacy is one of dozens the city asked to distribute vaccine. To answer that call, she spent thousands of dollars to buy supplies and train staff.
"We invested in extra refrigeration, so we have an extra-large refrigerator that we bought over the summer," Sykora said.
City leaders also announced Friday they are ramping up vaccinations even more, by hosting a weekly vaccine point-of-dispending, known as a "POD." The vaccinations will be at the Martin Luther King Center, where health professionals will distribute up to 500 doses a week.
Mayor Marlon Coleman said the clinic will help better serve rural areas, as well as elderly and low-income patients.
"This is a major, major milestone for us because we have so many in our community that are income challenged. To be doing 2,000 additional vaccines just at the King Center is a major undertaking," Coleman said.
State representative Avery Frix said this pod is unique because it will happen every week, instead of just once.
"The fact that Muskogee was able to get this ahead of other communities is a very positive thing," Frix said.
The health department said they have already filled most spots for the first two weeks with vulnerable patients in need of an appointment. City leaders said the public can sign up for an appointment in two weeks.
To sign up for the Muskogee POD, you can visit this website here to access the online portal, or you can call the Muskogee County Health Department at (918) 683-0321.
Ernie's Pharmacy is taking appointments online, you can click here to schedule.
You can find the list of other pharmacies and health sites giving out the vaccine below.
St. Francis Hospital in Muskogee
Frenius Medical Care Tulsa, LLC dba FKC Muskogee Dialysis
Gaddy's Discount Drug
Scotts Valu-Med Pharmacy
AVV Health Center Muskogee West
Eddie Warrior Correctional Center
Fort Gibson Medical CLinic
Neo Health-Muskogee
Valu-Med Pharmacy
Walgreens/Pharmacy #10223
Walgreens/Pharmacy #5529
Walmart Supercenter #130
Warner Health and Wellness