Del. receives first shipment of coronavirus vaccine

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health announced on Monday that Delaware has received its first shipment of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

We’re told the state pre-ordered 8,775 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and is estimated to be one of the first states in the nation to receive it.

Officials say the first shipment arrived at Bayhealth’s Kent County location on Monday, with the remainder of the vaccine doses expected to arrive on Wednesday. DPH will then begin scheduling delivery to the remainder of the state’s health systems, and if they are prepared, hospitals can begin vaccinating staff within 24 hours.

DPH has devised the following three-tier strategy for distribution:

• Phase 1a: Healthcare personnel, emergency medical services agencies, and long-term care staff and residents will receive the vaccine first
• Remainder of Phase 1: In early 2021, those who work in high-risk and critical infrastructure industries such as food processing, utilities, education, police and fire, those who live in congregate settings such as correctional facilities and homeless shelters, as well as those with certain underlying health conditions, and are aged 65 and older are likely to receive the vaccine
• Phase 2 (March 2021): Those with more moderate risk for getting COVID-19 are eligible to receive the vaccine
• Phase 3 (Spring/Summer 2021): The general public can expect to receive vaccines through their primary health care providers, health centers, and pharmacies as the vaccine becomes more widely available

DPH officials say they do not plan to mandate the vaccine, however, they are strongly encouraging people, especially healthcare workers, to get vaccinated once doses become available.

Children under the age of 16 are not included in the initial three phases of the vaccine’s rollout, as the FDA has not yet approved its use for those who fall into this category.

Officials say the potential side effects from the vaccine are similar to those experienced by people who receive the flu shot, including soreness at the injection site, fever, headaches, and body aches that usually go away within 24 hours.

In addition, we’re told the Pfizer vaccine has a 90% effectiveness rate, compared to the flu vaccine which is reportedly generally 40% to 60% effective. The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain a live virus and cannot give individuals the coronavirus. This vaccine also requires two doses, spaced about three weeks apart, to be effective.

For the latest information on the vaccine in Delaware, click here.