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The first Covid-19 vaccination in Vermont took place on Tuesday, broadcast live from the UVM Medical Center following speeches from the hospital’s top officials. But after the ceremonious kickoff, the work of vaccinating masses of people began — work that’s largely taking place in small clinics at rural hospitals across the state.

On Wednesday, roughly 40 people gathered in a basement conference room at Gifford Medical Center to start vaccinating the hospital’s frontline workers. The hospital received 110 doses this week, with more on the way the following week and beyond. Wednesday’s round of 20 vaccinations was a test run for the larger clinics to come.

While the process was speedy and low-key, looking more or less like a series of flu shots, the mood was optimistic.

The vaccine is a light at the end of the tunnel, said Josh White, the hospital’s chief medical officer. While it will take months to reach herd immunity, he said, deaths from the virus will likely begin dropping even sooner, as the most vulnerable people receive the vaccine.

“It’s gonna be a different day,” White said.

[Read more: ‘Nothing but good news’: Gifford Medical Center vaccinates its first workers]