FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — More shipments of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in Kentucky this week as the process of getting the first doses to frontline healthcare workers and people in long-term care facilities continues.
Monday marked one week since the first healthcare workers received their initial dose of the Pfizer vaccine and Governor Beshear and health experts noted the success of the rollout so far.
"The workers on the COVID unit are exhausted. This has been a war it's not a battle," said Dr. Ashley Montgomery-Yates, interim chief medical officer for inpatient services at UK Healthcare who's also cared for COVID-19 patients.
She joined Governor Beshear virtually during his COVID-19 briefing Monday.
"It's gone on for an extended period of time and I think as news of the vaccine has come there's a renewed energy, there's a renewed sense of hope," she said.
About 2,000 UK Healthcare workers had been vaccinated as of Monday, she said, with minimal side effects reported.
Dr. Montgomery-Yates said she received her first dose of the vaccine last week.
"I had a little arm soreness the next day but honestly, the flu shot was sore, more sore than the COVID vaccine for me," she said.
She encouraged Kentuckians to get the vaccine when it becomes available to them and in the meantime, to continue to wear masks and social distance.
"Stick to the plan so those of us who are caring for you on the frontlines can do it in a way that's the right way," she said, "so that we don't have too many patients."
This week, Kentucky is expected to receive additional vaccine shipments from Pfizer of 27,300 doses and from Moderna of 76,700 doses.
Governor Beshear said he hopes all residents and staff of long-term care facilities will be vaccinated by March 1.
