Arizona is expecting its first allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine by mid-December. Here are three things you need to know.

This is the first sign of hope for a lot of us during this pandemic!

1. The COVID-19 vaccine is going to be free, even if you don’t have insurance.

According to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, there has been an executive order issued that declares all COVID-19 vaccines will be free of charge to Arizonans. This will be the case as long as the state’s public health emergency declaration is in effect.

These doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been paid for in advance by the federal government, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

“We agreed that the vaccine should be free for anyone who needs it,” Gov. Doug Ducey said on Wednesday. “This is a global pandemic, and the vaccine shouldn’t cost Arizonans a penny.”

2. Health care workers and long-term care residents are supposed to get their vaccines first.

The first distributions of the vaccines will prioritize health care workers, emergency medical responders, and people in healthcare support occupations.

A federal advisory plan also recently recommended that long-term care facilities should also be in the top priority group for the vaccines.

“Dr. Redfield looks forward to future recommendations that, based on vaccine availability, demonstrate that we as a Nation also prioritize the elderly (people ages 70 and older) who reside in multi-generation households” – a CDC statement.

Other people who will be prioritized for the vaccines include essential workers, people aged 65 or older, and people with underlying health conditions.

3. 2 doses of the vaccine will be required.

The COVID-19 vaccines will require two doses. Both doses must be completed within 21 days to 28 days of the first dose. They are also expected to be fully effective within one or two weeks of the second dose.

The vaccine is not recommended for children or pregnant women.

For more information, visit www.azcentral.com.