On the eve of what's expected to be the approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, we're learning more details on what this could mean for us on the Central Coast.
During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Public Health Officer, Dr. Penny Borenstein said the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department will receive more than 1,900 doses of the vaccine. Hospitals and care facilities will receive separate doses from this number to give to workers and residents.
"My opinion actually changed this morning when the news came out that some people had allergy responses or bad responses because of allergies," said Rose Adams.
Adams' mom is at the Arroyo Grande Care Center.
She initially thought the vaccine couldn't come soon enough but after hearing UK health officials warning that those with a "significant history of allergic reactions" should not take the Coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech, that changed her mind.
"Beforehand, I was, I literally was telling people I would bump people out of line to get in there because I'm so tired of being shut down but now
it's like I don't know I'm kind of waiting for the next one," Adams said.
San Luis Obispo County Public Health said there have been 20 recent COVID-19 outbreaks in San Luis Obispo County including where Adams' mom is staying.
We reached out to Compass Health which runs that facility and many others on the Central Coast and were told in part: "Compass Health, Inc. welcomes the COVID-19 vaccine. We will offer it to all residents and staff and hope all participate."
"I would feel more comfortable knowing that the people who are helping my mother are safe," Adams said.
1,950 doses will be available through San Luis Obispo County Public Health.
"There is light with the vaccine coming," Dr. Penny Borenstein said.
Dr. Borenstein says she just received news that the liquid that's added to the Pfizer vaccine is expected to arrive within the next few days.
The vaccine is expected to follow and be administered sometime at the end of the month.
"We are meeting this week actually with our healthcare group to triage how we're going to roll out the doses that we get," Dr. Borenstein said.
A task force has been formed which includes a representative from Compass Health to discuss vaccine allocations in these critical weeks and months to come.
"We know we're hearing a lot about vaccine reluctance or absolute refusal and we're going to be starting in the coming weeks to help message what I believe to be at the point in which we receive it, a safe and effective vaccine," Dr. Borenstein said.
