KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday the first round of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine could arrive in the state as early as next week.
On Thursday, a Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee for the FDA recommended the Pfizer vaccine.
Now, it's up to the FDA to issue emergency use authorization (EUA) for the vaccine, a decision that could be made by Friday evening.
Shipping of the vaccine is expected 24 to 72 hours after (EUA) is issued with delivery expected 48-96 hours after the EUA is issued.
"We anticipate this to be early next week," Kelly said in a press release. "The vaccines will be distributed to the ultra-cold storage locations in Kansas. The State of Kansas will not release these locations for security purposes. The vaccines will then be deployed to other locations across Kansas."
In total, Kansas is set to receive 150,000 vaccine doses by the end of December.
With this first Pfizer shipment, the state is expected to receive 24,000 doses.
The first round of vaccines will be used for health care workers and residents of long-term facilities which are deemed at a high risk of contracting the virus.
Kelly said her office will notify the public when the vaccines arrive.
