Gianforte touts increased COVID vaccine supply as eligibility opens for all Montanans 16+
By: Jonathon Ambarian
and last updated 2021-04-01 12:08:14-04
HELENA â Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced increased COVID-19 vaccine shipments ahead of vaccine eligibility opening for all Montanans 16 and older.
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Gianforte said the state will receive about 15,000 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 11,000 first doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 15,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson single-shot vaccine â along with about 25,000 second doses. He said their federal allocation is up by about 15,000 doses from last week.
Gianforte touted the continuing lower rates of new COVID cases and hospitalizations in Montana, and said vaccines have been a key part of that.
Gov. Steve Bullock provided an update regarding the state s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan on Wednesday to incorporate federal recommendations and timelines.
The updated plan provides estimated timelines for distribution for Phases 1a, 1b and 1c including the final phase, which is when vaccines are expected to be available to all Montanans by early summer 2021. The plan also identifies which groups are recommended to receive the vaccine in each phase. As the first phase of Montana s COVID-19 vaccination plan is fully under way, it s inspiring to see that thousands of health care workers have already been vaccinated and that it s now reaching staff and residents of long-term care facilities, Bullock said in the announcement.