SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The first batch of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine arrived in San Diego County Monday morning.
In a tweet, county officials said: "First COVID-19 vaccine for front line health care workers arrives in San Diego."
First COVID-19 vaccine for front line health care workers arrives in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/rvMp6BN9a3
— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) December 14, 2020
The vaccine will be distributed in a phased approach, due to the number of doses made available.
According to the county, about 28,000 doses of Pfizer's vaccine will be given to San Diego County. Front line workers will be first to be vaccinated, followed by long-term care facility residents and employees.
Doses from the county's allotment were sent to UC San Diego Medical Center and Rady Children's Hospital on Monday and Tuesday.
A separate batch of vaccines was sent to Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton on Monday.
The Department of Defense chose both locations as hubs where some service members will be vaccinated.
In a statement released last week, the DOD outlined their vaccine distribution plans. They will follow the CDC guidelines and will prioritize those who provide direct medical care, followed by critical national security units, and then deployed forces.
The vaccine arrival comes as military hospitals in San Diego are also seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Naval Medical Center San Diego has 16 ICU beds, but they are at 70% capacity. Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton’s four ICU beds are at 75%.