Kalispell Regional Medical Center and nine other Montana hospitals are expected to receive shipments of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine this month, providing the first doses for 9,750 health-care workers across the state, Gov. Steve Bullock's office announced Monday.

Although the vaccine was still awaiting emergency authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday, Bullock's office said the state Department of Public Health and Human Services anticipates receiving a first shipment of 10 boxes, each containing 975 vials of the vaccine, as early as Dec. 15.

Bullock's office said Montana's first vaccine shipments will be distributed to health-care workers and residents of long-term care facilities in accordance with recommendations from the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Pharmacies partnering with the federal government will administer the vaccine in long-term care facilities, and separate shipments will be distributed in the state through federal agencies including the Indian Health Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“For nearly nine months, Montana’s health-care workers have worked tirelessly to care for the people of this state, putting their own health at risk,” Bullock said in a statement. “By prioritizing the vaccination of those on the frontlines, we can help ensure our hospitals can continue serving patients while we continue to manage the spread of this virus in our communities.”

DPHHS surveyed hospitals to estimate how many health-care workers would receive the vaccine and will allocate shipments accordingly, Bullock's office said.

Mellody Sharpton, a spokeswoman for Kalispell Regional Healthcare, which is rebranding as Logan Health, said the hospital is "pleased to be one of the first hospitals in the state to receive delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine for the protection of our workforce."

In an email, Sharpton said KRH anticipates receiving one box of 975 doses the week of Dec. 13 if the Pfizer vaccine receives emergency authorization before then. She said KRH has several options for storing the Pfizer vaccine, which must be preserved at ultracold temperatures. Those options include a freezer with space for more than 26,000 doses, which can safely preserve the vaccine at minus 112 degrees for up to six months, she said.

"KRH will offer the first round of doses to frontline health-care workers, including nurses, providers and others who have regular direct patient contact," Sharpton said, adding the KRH system has nearly 4,000 employees in total.

"The vaccine will not be mandated for staff and receipt will be voluntary," she said.

While the vaccine won't be widely distributed for months, Sharpton emphasized people should continue trying to "stop the surge" of coronavirus infections by washing their hands, wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing.

In addition to Kalispell Regional, the hospitals slated to receive vaccine doses from the first shipment include St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, the Billings Clinic, Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, St. James Hospital in Butte, Benefis Health System in Great Falls, the Great Falls Clinic, St. Peter’s Health in Helena, and Providence St. Patrick Hospital and the Community Medical Center in Missoula.

“It’s very encouraging that we’re close to receiving our first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine, but we must all remain vigilant and continue to follow all the public health safety measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” Erica Johnston, the department's acting director, said in a statement. “DPHHS is committed to implementing the state’s vaccination plan by working with communities and organizations all across Montana in the weeks and months ahead.”

The second dose of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine is designed to be injected 21 days after the first, so a second shipment would need to arrive within that period. Bullock's office said the state's second shipment of the Pfizer vaccine also will include some doses of the vaccine produced by Moderna.

Because the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at ultracold temperatures, the federal government requires initial shipments be sent to facilities with appropriate storage capabilities, Bullock's office said. The Moderna vaccine can be stored at room temperature, and each box contains 100 doses, so Bullock's office said it will be more easily delivered to rural areas and small facilities without cold storage.

Reporter Chad Sokol can be reached at 758-4434 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com