Washington State is expecting another delivery of COVID-19 vaccines this week

The Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) is anticipating “tens of thousands” more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine later this week.

The first vaccines arrived in Washington on Tuesday and have been administered to high-risk health workers as well as staff and residents of long-term care facilities.

So far, 31,200 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have already arrived in Washington. 29,250 additional doses are expected later this week. Another 74,100 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should arrive in Washington next week and 85,800 the week of December 29.

These doses will be delivered to a total of 39 sites covering 29 counties. 1950 total doses will go to three tribes or Urban Indian Health Programs this week.

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As of midday today, at least 410 doses of vaccine have been in Washington, reports WSDOH.

They estimate it will take until around mid-to-late January to finish vaccinating these groups and begin offering the vaccine to the next eligible groups.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is a two-dose vaccine given 21 days apart. Clinical trial data show that the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing the COVID-19 infection starting seven days after the second dose. Individuals will not be considered fully protected until one to two weeks after they receive the second dose.

Pharmaceutical company Moderna submitted an EUA application on November 30, which will be reviewed on December 17. If the EUA is granted and the Moderna vaccine approved by the Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, around 183,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine should arrive by the end of December as well.

Both vaccines are currently only recommended for those aged 16 and over.