YREKA, Calif. — Public health officials in Siskiyou County say that they expect to receive the first shipments of a COVID-19 vaccine next week, but this first wave will include a limited amount of doses.

Some California counties — including neighboring Shasta County — received their first doses earlier this week. Siskiyou County is not expected to receive the vaccine until at least December 21, officials said.

"Initial supply of the vaccine is limited and the first doses will be provided to healthcare workers and long-term care residents in accordance with the CDPH Allocation Guidelines," Siskiyou County Public Health said.

In this first wave, Siskiyou County will receive 385 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. They'll go to Dignity Health and Fairchild Medical Center, prioritizing frontline healthcare workers who are most at risk of exposure to COVID-19.

"As soon as vaccines are available, the state of California will distribute them throughout the regions and the Public Health department will continue to inform the public of the distribution plan within the county," Siskiyou County continued.

California has promised to provide a vaccine to everyone in the state who needs and requests it, but it may be several months until enough doses are available. Public health officials continue to urge the use of preventive measures to slow coronavirus spread in the meantime.