As the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread across the state and nation, health officials say the best protection is to be fully vaccinated, but a significant number of Oklahomans have missed their second dose.
During a press conference Friday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health said more than 134,000 or about 9.5 percent have missed their second dose of a two-shot COVID-19 vaccine.
OU Chief COVID-19 officer Dr. Dale Bratzler said during a media availability Wednesday to seek out the second dose regardless of if you are overdue.
"Even if it’s been a couple of months since you’ve got the first dose, please go ahead and find the second dose. There is no upper time limit between dose one and dose two," said Bratzler.
A Public Health England study found that one dose of the Pfizer vaccine was only 33% effective against the delta variant. Two doses increased the effectiveness to 88%.
Health officials are urging younger individuals to get vaccinated. According to the latest state epidemiology report, only 22.6% of Oklahomans between the ages of 12 and 35 are fully vaccinated.
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