UPDATE, 6:32 p.m., December 15, 2020,– It’s a big step in the fight against Covid-19. Shasta County received its first batch of vaccines.

“I’m really glad it’s here because we've had such a huge increase in cases,” said Mary Deschenes of Redding.

On Tuesday, Mercy Medical Center received about 2000 doses of the vaccine, with each box containing about 975 doses. Hospital staff storing the vaccine in its refrigerators.

“I think it's important because Covid is a virus that you cannot detect on other people,” said Nancy Kirkland of Redding.

Community members are feeling hopeful, that with the vaccine’s arrival it’s one step closer to getting back to normal.

“I'm glad that the Covid-19 vaccine arrived and I’m glad that medical workers are getting the first shot,” said Kirkland. “I’m very happy that operation warp speed did such a good job.”

Health care workers, first responders, and people working in long-term care facilities will be the first to get the vaccine.

---

REDDING, Calif. – The first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines arrived Tuesday in Shasta County.

This morning, the vaccine was unloaded and delivered to Mercy Medical Center. Staff then worked to safely store it in refrigerators.

Shasta County is receiving about 2,000 doses of the vaccine. Each box contains about 975 doses. Mercy Medical Center is only serving as the distribution and storage site for the vaccine.

Right now, different health care facilities such as Shasta Regional and Mayers Memorial in the county are deciding how much they need.

The county is also expecting the Moderna vaccine to arrive sometime next week. Mercy Medical Center officials said it plans to administer the vaccine to employees in the upcoming days.

Learn more about the Covid-19 vaccines from the CDC.

This is a developing story. Action News Now will keep you updated with new information on-air and online.