Testing and Immunization Center

[Pete]

This was mentioned in the Covid-19 vaccination thread and wanted to create a dedicated thread.

The facility will be just north of Remington Park will provide 3-bays for drive-thru testing and immunization. A neighboring warehouse is also planned.

It will be part of the OK County Health campus and is set to open in July.

[mkjeeves]

Fast track for July of 2021 not July of 2020???

Shaking my head.

[TheTravellers]

Fast track for July of 2021 not July of 2020???

Shaking my head.

Yeah, this should've been built by now, we've known about the need for months...

[G.Walker]

Because of COVID, the medical industry is about to boom, you will see research labs, hospitals, and testing centers going up everywhere over the next 5 years. America doesn't want to get caught with their pants down again when another virus outbreak happens.

[Pete]

Permit for a job trailer for this project, so this will be starting very soon.

[Laramie]

Carmen Forman
by Carmen Forman
Published: Fri, January 15, 2021 3:57 PM

Oklahoma's COVID-19 vaccine coordinator said Friday he feels as though the rug was pulled out from under him after he learned the federal government does not have a stockpile of second vaccine doses waiting in reserve.

State officials across the country were told earlier this week the Trump administration would soon release all available vaccines, instead of holding back doses for scheduled second shots.

[Bellaboo]

Well, if the nightly news has been correct, I saw a story about how the production of vaccines has been increased 4 fold and there will be no problem with future supply.

Maybe the state OSDH is a little behind ?

[ChrisHayes]

What will this building be used for when the pandemic is over? Other vaccination?

[Pete]

What will this building be used for when the pandemic is over? Other vaccination?

Testing and vaccination will not be over for a very long time; years, maybe over a decade.

The virus is already evolving and changing, as will the vaccines.

And, this isn't likely to be the last virus. I'm sure this facility will be used for a very long time.

[Pete]

https://www.news9.com/story/6000e127...ccination-site

Estimated cost of $4.5 million and they said they plan to use for flu vaccinations as well.

[catch22]

I am sure Pete is right, this will be used for a long time. But, if not, with the high ceilings and garage bay doors it could easily be sold off for any number of uses. A small warehouse space for a startup, bolt a few lifts to the floor and it could be used as a tire/lube shop, etc. I don't think the city would have a difficult time selling it off, or converting it to something else for its own use if they decide to stop the vaccine program years from now.

It could even be used as a temporary community center of sorts. Open all of the bay doors, put picnic tables inside and have food trucks outside. That would actually be a cool use, to signify being over the pandemic. Having a public event bringing people together in the "old vaccine" center.

[Pete]

Already moving fast on this project:

[Pete]

[SEMIweather]

There's a realistic chance that we'll already be done with the vast majority of vaccinations by the time they finish this, but I guess at least they'll have it for when we all need booster shots this fall/winter.

[Pete]

^

And shots for variants and the flu and who knows what will come in the future.

[shawnw]

You could post this picture as one of those memes, like what will this be "wrong answers only" and you'd get a lot of "shop/restaurant in OKC with the minimum required parking".

[Pete]

^

The large rectangular area to the east will be a big warehouse. There won't be much parking in this area.

[Pete]

[Pete]

[Pete]

[Bellaboo]

This has to be a record from start to this far along for a state / county/ public project.

[Pete]

Looks like this project is about ready to open. Cars will enter from the north (south facing 63rd is shown) then each of the 3 lanes has 3 indoor spots.

To the right in the first photo is the slab for the storage warehouse.

[Pete]

This facility is now open:

[Bill Robertson]

Every time slot has openings. I'm getting a booster Monday afternoon.

[shawnw]

Did they close and then reopen again? On social they made a big deal about being open for testing starting this past Monday (1/10).