CHAMPAIGN, III (WAND) - Long-term care facilities in Illinois are receiving the first batches of COVID-19 vaccines. 

COVID-19 vaccinations for Phase 1A are underway, which includes residents and staff of long-term health care facilities. A Heritage of Care COVID-19 Task Force nurse said officials have been waiting for the vaccines for a long time. 

"Residents are receiving this and and staff are receiving this. It's saving lives. You know, it gives me chills even talking about this. When you're on those front lines, and you are at their bedside, and knowing that this vaccine is in sight, and it's here is, is kind of humbling," Heather White, clinical nurse educator of Heritage of Care COVID Task Force tells WAND News. 

Partnerships with CVS and Walgreens are facilitating the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in long-term care facilities throughout the state. 

Over 76,000 vaccines have been distributed during the week of Dec. 28 to long term health care facilities. Next week, another 76,000 will be dispatched as well. Before getting the shot, staff and residents are given educational materials on the vaccines. 

"We got information from Pfizer. We got information from the CDC, the FDA, IDPH, and we were continuously sending out education materials," White said.

Once they consent, CVS and Walgreens arrive on-site to administer the shot. 

Residents and staff said they are anxiously awaiting the vaccine.

"It's pretty exciting to see how how apt they are to receiving this this education and overall I'd say they're pretty receptive over it," White said about residents waiting for the shot. 

As of right now, most long-term care facilities have received the Pfizer vaccine. White said it is not a matter of preference, but of what is available first.

“With us taking care of such a vulnerable population, we honestly just went with the Pfizer because that's the first one that is available for now," White said.

Once skilled nursing facilities receive the vaccine, then other long-term care facilities such as intermediate care and assisted living facilities will get the shot.