Dear Editor,
This week, we celebrate the oneyear anniversary of the first vaccines against COVID19 given in Watonga. Mercy Health Care offered the Pfizer mRNA vaccine to their employees in December 2020. In that time, first responders and those in highrisk medical settings were prioritized. Since that time, through massive efforts, five million doses of vaccines against COVID19 have been administered in Oklahoma counting both state and federal efforts according to the Oklahoma Weekly Epidemiology and Surveillance Report.
In oneyear, over 61% of Oklahomans 12 years and older have been vaccinated. Recently, the vaccine has been authorized for children 5 to 11 year of age, a group that often has less symptoms, but can spread virus to others. In Blaine County, 61% of the population has received at least one dose and 79% of those 65 years and older have received at least one dose. These vaccines have proven effective in preventing symptomatic disease, and importantly, preventing hospitalization and death.
Sadly, approximately 40,000 Oklahomans have been hospitalized with CoVID19 and over 12,000 have died. Oklahoma ranks 9th highest of 50 states in deaths per population. Currently, 90% of those hospitalized in Oklahoma with COVID19 have not been immunized! The delta variant makes up 100% of the virus circulating in Oklahoma, but the latest variant of concern, Omicron, will likely arrive shortly. This highlights the importance of receiving a booster dose, now authorized for everyone 16 years and over. Over one half million booster doses have been given in Oklahoma as of Dec. 4. My wife and I are so thankful to have received ours.
I urge all Oklahomans, if you have not been immunized, take advantage of these safe and effective vaccines. This includes pregnant women for whom COVID19, like influenza virus, puts mother and baby at risk. If you have not received a booster dose, take advantage before families gather for endof year holidays.
Joe P. Bryan, MD
Infectious Disease specialist Retired US Navy, Department of State, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.