By Tyler Butler
As kids in Tulsa County prepare to head back to school, they’re getting all the supplies they need and their mandatory vaccines, but what about the optional ones?
“In Tulsa County, really about 35.6% of the population ages 5-17 have received at least one COVID vaccine. So about one-third of the people have at least some of that protection from vaccination,” said Ellen Niemitalo, clinic service manager at the Tulsa Health Department.
Niemitalo is in charge of immunizations for the Tulsa Health Department.
“In Oklahoma, in the last 90 days, there have been over 50 children hospitalized with COVID-related illnesses,” she said. “That is really high, especially if vaccination could have prevented some of those hospitalizations.”
With other vaccines to address newer variants in the works, NewsChannel 8 asked if parents should wait for those or go with what’s available now. Niemitalo says to take the vaccine available now.
“As new vaccines may be coming out, those recommendations may change, and there may be additional vaccine recommendations,” she said. “Going on what those recommendations are today, I would encourage parents to consider that. Talk to your primary care provider and seek the advice of medical experts too.
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