Twenty-seven CVS pharmacies in New Jersey began taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations – but those appointment slots filled up within hours.

It is the latest in the never-ending struggle for New Jersey residents to get the vaccine.

The federal government gave CVS 25,000 doses of the vaccine – which is a different supply than the doses allocated for the state of New Jersey. CVS’s website went live Thursday morning.

“As the vaccine shipments are received by the stores, that’s when the next allocation of appointments will open up on the website,” says Christina Cacchioli with the CVS COVID Task Force.

Those who were lucky enough to book an appointment will be getting the Moderna COVID vaccine. An appointment for a second dose should have already been booked.

There are three ways to book appointments: The CVS app, the CVS website or the CVS vaccine hotline. Customers are urged to check back periodically to see if appointments are available. Users should not call individual stores.

"We do have our call center staffed and ready to assist patients who need assistance troubleshooting something that might go wrong in the registration process,” Cacchioli says.

Vaccines will be distributed by appointment only and no walk-ins will be allowed.

At the request of the Biden Administration, Rite Aid announced that it will be offering COVID vaccines at 70 stores. The company does not have its own website for appointments. It is suggested that patients use the county or state COVID vaccination website to book.