Locals react to announcement of mid-December vaccine

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- During his press conference Monday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky will be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine by mid-December. 

Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Public Health said the state will receive approximately 38,000 doses. 

The big question- who will get it?

“The first individuals to get the vaccine will be health care providers and really those people that are on the front lines. The people that have direct patient care. In addition to that, it will also be for some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Med Center Health’s Vice President of Corporate Support Melinda Joyce.

Health professionals say why people should get it once it becomes readily available. 

“The vaccine is really our hope that we will be able to beat this particular virus. And a lot of work has gone into this vaccine to make sure that it’s safe, to make sure that it’s effective,” said Joyce. 

And differing opinions about the vaccine are bubbling up around the state. This is what some people had to say when asked if they would get the vaccine.

“For me personally, I probably wouldn’t. I don’t even do the flu shots and stuff like that. And the side effects, I’m not really into all that,” said resident Brittni Harless. 

“No. I don’t even take the flu vaccine so I don’t think I would at all,” said resident Janika Taylor.  

“I definitely would not. Because I don’t wanna be one of the first people. I don’t wanna be a guinea pig pretty much. I don’t wanna be one of the first people to get it. I would get it like after a month or two of testing,” said resident Harry Depp. 

“My arm is ready. So as long as I’m able to get that vaccine, I’m definitely going to be in line for it,” said Joyce.