US: Vaccinations against COVID-19 begin in California

Vaccinations against COVID-19 began Monday in California amid a huge surge in infections and hospitalizations.

Intensive care unit nurse Helen Cordova received a shot of Pfizer vaccine at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who watched and applauded, tweeted that Cordova was one of first Californians to be vaccinated.

first shipments of Pfizer vaccine left Michigan early Sunday for 145 distribution centers nationwide.

California's initial batch was scheduled to total 325,000 doses.

vaccine was sent to hospitals and or sites across country that can store it at extremely low temperatures — about 94 degrees below zero. Pfizer is using containers with dry ice and GPS-enabled sensors to ensure each shipment stays colder.