BEAUMONT, Texas — Excitement is building in many parts of the U.S. as the long-awaited first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are shipped around the country.
12News has confirmed Southeast Texas hospitals will not get the vaccine on Monday. It's not clear what the exact day is for the Pfizer vaccine arrival. Officials said it could be as early as Wednesday.
19,500 doses are arriving on Monday, Dec. 14 to hospitals in Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
On Tuesday, another 75,000 doses will be arriving at 19 additional Texas hospitals.
In Southeast Texas, CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth, Baptist Hospital and the Medical Center of Southeast Texas will all receive shipments of the shots.
Those first doses will go to those classified as tier one workers. They are the ones who work directly with COVID-19 patients.
'Leap of faith:' Doctors know some don't want COVID-19 vaccine
Dr. Ray Callas spoke to 12News on Monday, and said he will not be in the first group to get a dose of the vaccine. He did say there is a lot of excitement and some anxiety for those who are.
"You will have some people who will not take it but I will tell you the majority of the people who are offered this vaccine will take this vaccine," Callas said.
St. Elizabeth released a video on Sunday to give the community a glimpse of the freezers that will hold the vaccines when they arrive.
Dr. Msonthi Levine will not be among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Southeast Texas, but his opportunity is coming soon.
"I just got my notice from the hospital that if I wanted a vaccine going through the process of registering online and reserving my appointment," Levine said.
The appointment could come as early as Monday, Dec. 21.
"I certainly want to be engaged and be involved and be one of the first ones to get it as soon as I can," Levine said.
Dr. Callas said he too plans to take the shot.
He understands many people have concerns about the vaccine. He said the best thing to do is turn to trusted resources.
"I do not want people to get discouraged from taking the vaccine because I think that the data is going to show that it is something that is very vital and will help us get over this," Callas said.
Both doctors know some of their patients have concerns. Even though he plans to get the vaccine, Dr. Levine has concerns too.
"Am I going to have some adverse reaction to it that's unforeseen?" Levine said.
But he said in the end, it's the best way to protect himself, his family and his patients.
"It's no question to have to take a leap of faith in this situation," Levine said.
'Historic moment:' Hospitals ready to distribute vaccine after months of preparation
Leading up to the vaccine's arrival, Baptist Hospital has been setting up an emergency vaccine clinic. Those doors will open starting next week. Brenna Johnson is the pharmacy operational manager. She's helping lead the effort.
"This will just be a short-term until we can figure out a longer term or permanent solution," Johnson said. "We imagine we will have at least 2 weeks of clinic days that we will be using for that first round of vaccines that we are receiving."
She said they've been 'very busy preparing for it.'
Baptist Hospital, CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth and Medical Center of Southeast Texas will receive almost 1,000 doses each. They will go to front line workers.
Angie Hebert is director of marketing and public relations with the Medical Center of Southeast Texas. She said they are ready for the shots to arrive.
"What a historic moment, right? So we have been preparing for months, months as long as we knew that there was a vaccine coming we started preparations," Hebert said.
So what can front line workers expect? Once the vaccine arrives, shots will be administered, symptoms will be monitored for 15 minutes and then an appointment will be set for the second dose.
"Every way that we have approached this vaccines process has been detailed and guided by the CDC and FDA," Hebert said.
All in an effort that hopefully will lead to the end of the pandemic.
"I think a lot of people will feel a sense of peace knowing that this is coming soon," Johnson said.
Also on 12NewsNow.com...