Agency Collaboration Ensures Homebound Individuals, Families Have Access to COVID-19 Vaccine
Oklahoma Human Services, OSDH District 4 partner in northeastern counties
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 14, 2022) – Oklahoma Human Services has partnered with Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) District 4 County Health Departments to ensure homebound individuals ages 6 months and older, as well as their family caregivers, have access to COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots. For these individuals, who may already have complex medical conditions, access to vaccines can literally be life-saving.
Kendra is homebound due to several medical conditions. She received her first two shots with the help of the Oklahoma Human Services Community Living, Aging and Protective Services (CAP) vaccine team and recently received a COVID text reminder to schedule her booster shot.
“This extraordinary service is sorely needed in our communities,” said Kendra. “Sadly, I’m not sure enough people realize just how necessary a program like this is. As a severely immunocompromised and bedbound individual, there were absolutely no options available to me to receive my COVID-19 vaccinations or my booster shots. If it were not for this imperative community service, I would still be vulnerable to this deadly pandemic.”
CAP staff assist in coordinating access to all COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters where available, to help customers navigate vaccination barriers. Nurses from the Health Department come to the home to administer the vaccine.
“COVID-19 has certainly presented trials few of us have faced in our lifetimes, but our communities have risen to the challenge,” said CAP Director, Jeromy Buchanan. “I’m so proud of the collaboration between our team and the state and local Health Departments and the many pathways they are opening for homebound individuals, not only for life-saving vaccines, but also for other critical services that help these individuals stay healthy and thrive.”
“This partnership will help increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for northeast Oklahoma residents who are unable to leave their homes,” said James Thompson, Regional Administrative Director for OSDH District 4. “We are proud to collaborate with Oklahoma Human Services to support some of our most vulnerable residents and their families – many of whom might not otherwise have an opportunity to receive the COVID vaccine. This partnership brings life-saving vaccines directly to their doorstep.”
In addition to hand washing, social distancing and wearing a mask, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says vaccination is one of the best tools to prevent severe disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for the primary series of vaccines, and everyone 5 years and older is eligible for a booster shot. Those aged 50 years and older, as well as moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and older, are authorized to receive a second booster shot.
For more information on accessing COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for homebound individuals and their family caregivers, visit https://forms.office.com/g/sKKmXt1Wsm or call (918) 948-0810 or (918) 931-0346.
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