GREEN BAY (WGBA) -- The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Wisconsin, but only a limited number of doses came on the first shipment. The vaccine has yet to make to Northeast Wisconsin.
"At this point we have not heard when it is coming, but hopefully soon," said Dr. Michael Landrum, an infectious disease expert with Bellin Health. "The process is very intuitive. It requires on-going communication with the state."
State Health Services says they have received around 49,000 doses of the vaccine. They plan to give the first doses to at-risk health care workers first. But Landrum says, the doses will only vaccinate a small portion of the population. The process will require patience.
"It is going to take time," he said. "We have a plan in place as to who will be getting it first. Hopefully as the weeks go on we will get more."
The Pfizer vaccine was approved for emergency use last week. It requires two doses to be effective, and it must be stored at very low temperatures. Landrum says that will require additional work.
"We need to make sure our facilities are up an running to make sure we can safey administer it," He said. "That is why it takes a select few to receive it at first."
If anyone is concerned about safety, Dr. Landrum says there is no need to worry. The tests have the vaccine showing at 90% effectiveness - which he says it better than most flu shots.
"A good year for the flu is about 50%," he said. "This is truly remarkable and the studies are strong. I will be getting it when it is available to me."