Imperial County will be receiving their first shipment of the recently approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week.

The Imperial County Public Health Department says the first shipments are expected by Wednesday. The initial shipment will include 1,200 doses which will be distributed to local healthcare front-line workers. The County Health Department will receive 200 doses , El Centro Regional Medical Center 600 doses and Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District 400 doses. The vaccine will be administered to people in Phase 1a of the California Department of Public Health guidelines. Phase 1a includes high-risk workers in health care settings , first responders and patients and staff of long-term care facilities. Distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine began last week.