NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Hospitals in New Haven and Hartford received their first deliveries of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Tuesday, the second day of distribution in Connecticut.

Yale New Haven Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford each received about 2,000 doses and planned to begin vaccinating health care staff in the several hospitals run by their parent organizations.

“We’re so proud. We’re ready to crush COVID,” said Stacy Vaeth, executive director of pharmacy at Yale New Haven Hospital. “It’s a bright day for us and we’re very excited to be a part of this movement.”

The first doses in the state arrived Monday at Hartford Hospital. First priority for the vaccine in Connecticut is being given to front-line health workers who treat COVID-19 patients. Next week, shipments of the vaccine are expected be transported to CVS and Walgreens distribution centers and then sent to nursing homes throughout Connecticut.

From mid-January to May, about 1 million people in the state are expected to get vaccinated. They include critical workers, people living in other congregate settings, people over age 65 and those under age 65 who are high risk. All others are expected to have access to a vaccine in June.

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