Arkansas receives first shipment of Covid-19 vaccine

Arkansas – Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Monday that the state had received its first shipment of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Hutchinson tweeted that doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine arrived at 8:10 a.m. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the vaccine on Friday.

Hutchinson said additional shipments are expected later Monday. Hospital workers are first in line to receive the vaccine. The state Department of Health said it will receive one box of the vaccine to vaccinate employees who have direct contact with virus patients.

States around the country began receiving the vaccine Monday as part of the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history. Packed in dry ice to stay at ultra-frozen temperatures, the first of nearly 3 million doses being shipped in staggered batches this week made their way by truck and by plane around the country Sunday from Pfizer’s Kalamazoo, Michigan, factory. Once they arrive at distribution centers, each state directs where the doses go next.

Hutchinson has said he is not considering any vaccine mandate but is encouraging Arkansas residents to take the vaccine when it becomes available. He said he and the first lady will take the vaccine “when it’s our turn.”