WACO, TX — Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest and Ascension Providence are two Waco hospitals that will each be receiving 975 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
With 15 million Americans now confirmed with the virus in the United States, it has many wondering whether or not they'll be getting the vaccine.
"I'm going to get it when it comes to Waco," Dolores M. Foster said, a retired nurse.
Foster used to work as a part-time nurse for patients in nursing homes where she says that she's learned the importance of vaccines. Foster said when available, front line workers should have the first access.
"That's very important and for the nurses who are around it every day they need to take the vaccine also," Foster said.
Luckily, the Texas Department of State Health Services mapped out a tiered Phase1 plan for who will have access to the vaccine first.
48 other facilities in the Waco area have also registered to have access to the vaccine when distribution begins, including the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.
"We don't have a list of when or what vaccine we will receive, but we are on the list to start providing it or receiving it as soon as we can," Kelly Craine with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District said.
Knowing that not everyone is excited about the vaccine, she still stresses the importance of thinking about it.
"A vaccine is our number one tool to stop COVID," Craine said.
Samuel Romero is among those who won't be getting a vaccine this first time around.
"I think it just came too fast. I know it was pushed out...usually it takes years for vaccines to come out," Romero said.
Although, he understands that a vaccine will help.
"It's good for the community for the people who want to take it," Romero said.
Whether you plan on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or not, it's still important to practice social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing.
The McLennan County Public Health District says they are still waiting on FDA approval for the official public distribution. They expect the FDA will release a statement on the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 10 and the statement on distribution for the Moderna vaccine is expected on Dec. 17.