This week marks a milestone for first responders. On Monday, first responders in Spokane and Kootenai counties will begin to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Spokane County got the Moderna vaccine a week ago, but getting it out, and the Pfizer vaccine, has been a slow process. The state Department of Health said last week there are more than 350,000 doses in Washington. However, only about 19% have been administered.
Currently, Washington is in phase 1A. Health care workers, first responders and long-term care facilities are in this first round of vaccinations. “I think we’re all cautiously optimistic that this will be a step towards our ability to come back together, get our community stood back up,” said Chief Cody Rohrbach with Spokane County Fire District 3.