Study: Vaccines helped reduce COVID-19 deaths in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says coronavirus vaccinations have helped reduce COVID-19 infections by 7,500 and deaths by 1,100 among Oklahomans aged 65 and older.

The study of Medicare recipients released Tuesday found each 10% increase in vaccination rates resulted in an 11-12% decline in weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths among Medicare beneficiaries.

In other developments, the Yukon School District announced that federal coronavirus relief funds will be used to provide $1,000 stipends for all full-time employees and prorated stipends for part-time workers.