State not sharing which hospitals get COVID vaccine

The Washington State Department of Health reported on Wednesday it will not reveal which hospitals are getting the first doses of the vaccine for security reasons.

“There are security concerns and so much interest in where this vaccine is going and, really, just helping manage the pressure around that, helping make sure we’re getting those doses to the right people,” said Michele Roberts, WA Department of Health.

The state stated it is ready to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it ships, and that is expected to happen next week. Washington expects to get about 400,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of this month. It will be a combination of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The Department of Health reported for all of those first doses, there are second doses held in a reserve. And those will be shipped by the manufacturer within two or three weeks.

The Food and Drug Administration will meet Thursday to review the Pfizer vaccine. The emergency use authorization could come as soon as Friday. The Moderna vaccine review is scheduled for Dec. 17.

The Department of Defense reported it is getting nearly 44,000 doses. The doses will be shipped to 13 locations in the U.S., including Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

“We are confident within 24-48 hours from that advisory committee decision, we will have shots in arms,” said Thomas McCaffrey, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

Cox Media Group