ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — AdventHealth was the first major health system in Orlando to get the  Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday.

This comes after a historic beginning to the week, where some of the first health care workers across the country began receiving a vaccine, including here in Florida.

AdventHealth received its first shipment of about 20,000 vaccines Tuesday. About 9,400 doses will stay with the AdventHealth facilities in Orlando, all for frontline health care workers, will others will be used elsewhere.

"For distribution among priority health care workers in the tri-county area​, also assisting other hospitals, not just AdventHealth," Orange County Health Officer Dr. Raul Pino said about the vaccine.

The hospital system stated the vaccinations for frontline workers will begin Wednesday. Workers are being encouraged to get the vaccine, but are not required to right now. 

That's because the FDA's authorization is only an emergency use authorization. Once it gets formal approval, the vaccine will become required for staff. 

Orange County officials are also telling the state they are ready to help distribute and administer the vaccine to long-term care facilities, when they become available.

"First I want to ask for your patience (and) understanding as we are going to engage in a logistic nightmare to try and deliver the vaccine to assisted living facilities and other places that need it urgently," Pino said.

Pino said this is still not the time to let our guard down, with hospitalizations and the COVID-19 positivity rate increasing daily in the county.

"Although there is light at the end of the tunnel for us, and for the county, we'd like to advise the public that all of the CDC guidelines should remain in place, even when you are vaccinated," Pino said.

That means people are still being urged to wear masks and social distance as much as possible. 

Pino also said they are talking to the Orange County Convention Center for a possible mass vaccination site down the line.