More than 17,000 doses of vaccine already administered in Mississippi

So far, doses have been administered to healthcare workers and residents in long-term care facilities.

In the state have recieved the coronavirus vaccine.

120 thousand vaccines have been allocated.

Wtva's chelsea brown breaks down how the state plans to distribute more vaccines at the begining of the new year i am here at the lee county health department where the mississippi state department of health will set up drive through vaccination sights at health departments starting next week.

These sites will be much like the testing sights.

According to the state department of health the first phase of vaccinations will be for healthcare workers.

"about 200,000 folks in the state that would qualify as healthcare personal" right now, mississippi is in the first stages of delivering vaccinations.

Besides healthcare workers, long term care facility residents and workers are included as well.

According to dr. paul byers that adds about 60,000 more people to be vaccinated.

"as more vaccine is available, we will have more opportunities available" the next stage would include first responders, grocery story staff, educational staff, and more.

State health leaders also plan to have a phase to include any one 75 years old or older.

"for folks that say this is just a bad case of the flu..

It is not.

It can attack any organ system in the body."

After those folks are vaccinated, future doses would start for people between 65 and 74 because they are higher risk.

Also included is anyone 16-64 years old with any serious complications from coronavirus.

The cdc also includes essential workers in this phase.

Even when someone gets vaccinated... "they need to continue to all of the things dr byers spoke to earlier, follow all of the current guidance" for those health care workers to be vaccinated at upcoming drive through sights dr byers says the process should not take long and you will need a healthcare id.

"it is so dependent for us to receive additional vaccine for us to do more good in the state of mississippi" tag: the state department of health has partnered with pharmacies at walgreens and cvc to help give out the vaccines.

And they hope to have the vaccine ready for the public in the upcoming spring.

In tupelo chelsea brown wtva 9 news if you're a health care worker and need a coronavirus vaccine, the state department of health and one