Nearly two and a half million Oklahomans are now eligible to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine as the state moves into phase three of the distribution process.

For some Oklahomans, getting vaccinated means life as it used to be. 

“It’ll mean that we can go out again and start living. We were going to swimming club, but we had to stop going. I was doing line dancing; I had to stop doing that," said Nora Sheader.

Sheader said it's an emotional week for her as she gets the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. She wasn’t able to attend a ceremony honoring her sister’s life yesterday in England because of the pandemic, but today she’s focusing how her family can get together soon. 

“I feel protected now. I feel protected now. My oldest daughter has had both of her shots. My youngest daughter has had one shot. She’s a school teacher," said Sheader.

People in phase three can now go to the state website and make an appointment. The Tulsa Health Department said it expects to see the demand for the vaccines pick up now that even more people can get them. 

“The demand for appointments really has started to drop and decline just a little bit in the last week so it’s really exciting news now that priority groups are opened up so that we really can be providing the vaccine as quickly as possible to as many Oklahomans as possible,” said Ellen Neimitalo.

Neimitalo is the Manager of Clinic Services for the Tulsa Health Department and said nearly 1,800 people a day get the vaccine at Tulsa's Expo. 

For more information about phase three and how to sign up, click here.