Gov. Steve Bullock on Dec. 2 announced Montana could receive its first COVID-19 vaccine shipment of around 10,000 doses by mid December.
Bullock said Montana is expected to receive roughly 9,750 doses of the Pfizer vaccine’s initial shipment, potentially by Dec. 15 or 16.
Bullock said there are an estimated 45,000 - 65,000 health care workers in the state and they’re at the front of the line to receive vaccines once approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Health officials are recommending that the roughly 10,000 residents and staff in Montana’s long-term care facilities also be at the top of the list to receive vaccines.
“While this initial allocation is pretty darn small, it’s based on population. That’s just the availability Pfizer has. But the hope and expectation is, as we roll into 2021, that additional supplies in a greater level will be received,” Bullock said.
Bullock said the state will likely receive its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine about a week after Dec. 16, though he didn’t have a dose estimate. He said the state could receive several thousand more doses of the Pfizer vaccine in subsequent weeks.
