Roughly 15,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine expected to arrive in Philly Tuesday

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- An estimated 15,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Philadelphia on Tuesday, according to city officials.

One local hospital official called this a pivotal moment in the fight against COVID-19.

"It's a cautious optimism," said Temple University Health System chief medical officer Dr. Tony Reed.

Temple University Health System is preparing to receive and start giving vaccines on Wednesday. Its staff has been divided into four tiers, and the first 3,000 doses will go to those in tier one.

"All who were in direct COVID care units or in areas that see a high volume of COVID patients, such as the emergency department or the crisis response unit," said Reed.

The vaccine could come with some flu-like side effects. Temple Health is advising those who get vaccinated to try to schedule the shot towards the end of their workweek in case they experience side effects.

As for the general population, Philadelphia officials say it'll be weeks or months before the vaccine will be available to everyone.

"Over time, it'll be more sites, and more people will be invited," said Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley. "We'll have much broader announcements as to the many different places they can get it."

Healthcare workers and staff, and residents of long term care facilities will be vaccinated in the first phase, followed by essential workers and high-risk groups.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced 1,041 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia on Friday. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 78,407 in the city.

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