UPDATE: First COVID vaccines arrive in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) — The first shipments of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine have arrived via UPS at Louisville’s Worldport. They started coming in at about noon Sunday.

The initial shipment of the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines has arrived in Kentucky, delivered to Louisville’s UPS Worldport. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the first to win approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,” Gov. Andy Beshear said.

“The Pfizer vaccine, which we believe to be 95% effective, has now been authorized in this emergency for us to start vaccinating individuals. The vaccine started to be shipped from the factory and a significant portion landed in Kentucky today. Kentucky is going to play a major role in getting this vaccine to people all over the eastern United States through UPS Worldport. We in the commonwealth are excited to be a big part of defeating this virus all over this country. We now believe that the first individuals will be vaccinated here in the commonwealth tomorrow morning. We are less than 24 hours away from the beginning of the end of this virus.”

The Governor said those most at risk will get the vaccine first.

As shipments continue, Kentucky is expected to received exactly 12,675 vaccine vials that will soon make their way to 11 regional and ready hospitals in Louisville, Paducah, Bowling Green, Madisonville, Pikeville, Corbin, Lexington and Edgewood and an additional 25,350 are being delivered to CVS and Walgreens, destined for long-term care facilities in the state.

Approval is also expected any day for the highly effective Moderna vaccine. This month alone, Kentucky could receive 150,000 doses of vaccine, which the Governor celebrated as great news after a long and tough year.

In the initial rounds, local hospitals, as well as long-term care facilities, which have not yet been announced, will be following guidance issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ACIP is prioritizing vaccinations among health care staff members who have been our only line of defense treating patients and long-term care residents and staff who have been at high risk and greatly affected by the spread of the virus.

The immediate goal is reducing COVID-19 deaths. With 66% of the deaths coming from long-term care facilities, vaccines could help significantly decrease Kentucky’s COVID-19 death toll beginning in January. Also, because long-term care residents tend to require the most care, vaccinations in these facilities will help reduce COVID-19s burden on Kentuckys health care system.

Local health departments have also been working closely with the Governor and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, to prepare for these distributions.

Gov. Beshear said to get back to the Kentucky that “we have missed, we need Kentuckians to be vaccinated.

“Our community doctors and nurses, as well as long-term care residents and staff, are preparing to do their part first, the Governor said. We will all get a turn. When it is your turn, I strongly encourage you to get vaccinated so you can do your part to protect yourself, your family and our entire state.”

The phases in which more Kentuckians will get vaccines, and the timing, is still unfolding. But, Kentuckians can get the facts about the vaccines and latest distribution information at kycovid19.ky.gov, which includes:

• The draft Kentucky vaccination plan, which includes a draft outline of our planning phases, critical populations and vaccine provider enrollment and administration.
• CDC COVID-19 vaccine resources

With this information and by talking with a health care provider, Kentuckians can make a plan to get the vaccine when the time is right.

The Governor said there are still months to go in this battle with the pandemic, but in this historic week to “which we are all witness, we can celebrate having turned a corner to a brighter, better Kentucky.

Some will stay in Kentucky while much will go to other parts of the country, company Public Relations Manager Jim Mayer said.”

The first batch of shipments will be about 3 million doses. UPS ad FedEx are sharing the distribution load.

Distribution is based on state populations.

The first Pfizer vaccine shipments are expected to be at 145 distribution centers Monday, according to federal officials. Another 425 will get doses Tuesday ad the final 66 Wednesday, according to the plan released by the federal government.

“Vaccine distribution is a key part of moving our world forward by delivering what matters,” says Carol Tomé, CEO of UPS. “We have dedicated and hardworking people around the world who have been trained to store, handle, transport and deliver vaccines. We’re pleased to support our healthcare partners with smart, efficient logistics for these vaccines that will protect communities and save lives.”