Healthcare workers and the elderly were among the first in Europe on Sunday to receive the newly approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine after the drug was granted an emergency authorization for use throughout the 27-state economic bloc.

“Today is a beautiful, symbolic day: All the citizens of Europe together are starting to get their vaccinations, the first ray of light after a long night,” Italian virus chief Domenico Arcuri said. “We all have to continue to be prudent, cautious, and responsible. We still have a long road ahead, but finally, we see a bit of light.”