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CHARLESTON -- Vaccine distribution in West Virginia will immediately begin upon arrival, according to the governor.
The shipments to states of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine under review by the Food and Drug Administration will begin 24 hours after approval by the federal agency while distribution to disbursement centers in West Virginia will begin 24 hours after receiving them, Gov. Jim Justice said during a COVID-19 briefing Friday.
"We will be ready to get them to West Virginians," Justice said.
An FDA advisory panel Thursday recommended the emergency use approval by the agency of the Pfizer vaccine. A second emergency use request by Moderna of its vaccine will be taken up by the advisory panel next week, Justice said.
Both vaccines must be taken in two separate doses and must be kept at extremely cold temperatures. The vaccines also are not interchangeable, meaning both doses must be either Pfizer's or Moderna's.
A large scale drill for the distribution of the vaccine was held on Friday by the Joint Interagency Task Force for Vaccines. National Guard Gen. James A. Hoyer said. Hoyer heads the state's distribution planning and execution.
The aim is to deliver the vaccine "as expeditiously as possible," Hoyer said.
About 32,600 Pfizer doses initially will be available and administered to priority populations including healthcare and front-line health responders and long-term care staff and residents, Justice said.
The second phase of distribution will be to the general public and people in the high-risk categories, such as people with medical issues and those over 65, based on the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.
The general public may receive the vaccines March 10-15, Justice said.
"We all know things are fluid," he said. "But that's what we're pushing for."
A falsehood has been circulating on social media of the safeness of the vaccines, particularly that it will cause infertility, said Dr. Clay Marsh, who heads the state's coronavirus efforts.
"That's just false," Marsh said.
The vaccines are "amazingly safe," although people who can experience extreme allergic reactions should consult with a physician, he said. Soreness in the arm where the injection was made or fatigue are two side effects, Marsh said.
Until the vaccines arrive, wearing a mask, social distancing and following other recommendations is the best defense against spreading the virus, Justice and Marsh said.
"Our best defense is wearing that mask," Justice said.
Only a small segment of the population believes masks are ineffective, the governor said.
"They are such a minority, it is unbelievable," Justice said.
In business unrelated to the pandemic, Justice talked about the closure of Mylan Pharmaceuticals in Morgantown and grouse hunting on Thursday with his bird dog, Little Lily. The governor didn't shoot anything, but he was amazed with the scenery.
"I'm going to tell you, I didn't need to get a grouse yesterday. I didn't need to shoot at something yesterday. You know, but I'm just telling you, if you don't get out there. If you don't get out in West Virginia, you don't see that," Justice said as he pointed to a photo of the sunset.