The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines are currently in-transit to a number of southwestern Saskatchewan communities and are expected to arrive at some point today.

According to Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley, there will be 1,170 Pfizer doses shipped split up and sent to nine different southwest communities.

"They'll be administered into individuals here within the next day or two I imagine," he said. "These are the first doses we've received in the southwest."

The vaccine will be given to long-term care residents and staff, personal care home residents and staff, and First Nations seniors in Assiniboia, Coronach, Gravelbourg, Ponteix, Rockglen, Herbert, Lafleche, Mankota, and Wood Mountain First Nation.

The provincial government also expects another 2,340 doses of the vaccine to arrive in the southwest and Swift Current.

Hindley also thanked southwest residents for being patient through the vaccine process to this point.