It's official: after months of waiting, Kern Medical became the first hospital in the county to administer Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. Dr. Arash Heidari, an infectious disease specialist, was the first person in the county to receive the vaccine. But he wasn't the only healthcare professional to receive the first dose of what many hope will end the current pandemic. Full story here: https://www.turnto23.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-arrives-in-kern-county-first-person-vaccinat

Vaccines are approved, safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 and its variants. California now offers in-home vaccinations and free transportation to vaccine appointments. GO TO https://myturn.ca.gov/ FOR MORE INFORMATION OR CALL (833) 422-2455 TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY | 23ABC Bakersfield

Despite a dip in new U.S. COVID-19 cases, new data suggests the virus variants could reverse positive COVID trends. Mandy Gaither has more in today's Health Minute. | 23ABC Bakersfield