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The study, IS21-064, was requested by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville
OKLAHOMA CITY – The House General Government Committee dove into details Wednesday morning on the role of state and county health departments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, IS21-064, was requested by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville.
Stearman said in an opening statement that the purpose of the study was to learn how these health departments operated, spent money and communicated with the public, and how those efforts may have impacted the prevalence of the virus within the state.
Oklahoma Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye told the committee the pandemic presented challenges of "global proportions not seen in generations."
"As one of the state's major public health entities, we believe it's our responsibility to reflect on our pandemic efforts and have these discussions about lessons learned and what we've done well and what we could have done better," Frye told the committee. "As with other public health initiatives, OSDH's approach throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine rollout has always been to provide data and information so that Oklahomans can make decisions that are best suited for them based on their own personal circumstances."
Jackie Shawnee, chief of staff for the Oklahoma Dept. of Health, said their goal for the advertising campaign was to reach as many Oklahomans as possible to help save lives and minimize severe illness.
Shawnee outlined the campaign's goals, which included generating awareness of Oklahoma's vaccine distribution plan, increasing portal signups for vaccine preregistration, increasing appointment signups, and ultimately providing Oklahomans with critical information about the vaccines so they could make the choice for themselves.
"In order to reach individuals living in different areas across our state, anywhere from rural to urban to suburban, we used a variety of types of advertising to meet Oklahomans really where they were and provide this information," Shawnee said. "This included but wasn't limited to social media, search engine ads, postcards, billboards, bus shelters, TV and radio."
Shawnee said messaging for the ads was informed by monthly statewide survey data and secondary research, all of which was funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Leanne Stephens, marketing and communications director for the Tulsa Health Dept., outlined the cost and reach of their three COVID-19 advertising campaigns. Stephens told the committee it's difficult to quantify what the outcome would have been without their campaigns, but Tulsa County had a lower death rate than state average.
Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, asked why advertisements for the vaccines do not include a list of adverse reactions.
Bruce Dart, executive director of the Tulsa Health Dept., replied that their website lists the information provided by the companies , but they don't discuss it in advertising campaigns because they're advertising vaccines as a whole rather than advertising a specific brand's vaccine.
Officials from the Oklahoma City, County Health Dept. had similar comments.
"Our health departments should be as transparent as possible with Oklahomans regarding the effects and potential adverse reactions to vaccines, especially when using state and federal taxpayer dollars," Stearman said. "We must ensure that people know the risks of receiving a rapidly-developed vaccine and that the voices of those who have experienced these adverse reactions are being heard."
"We want to ensure that Oklahomans are given the overall look of all potential effects of the vaccine so that they can make an informed decision on whether or not to receive the vaccine," West said. "Our citizens have the right to determine for themselves what health decisions are right for them, and omitting or burying information does not provide them the full picture."