A Clifton pharmacy is now able to vaccinate its customers.

The Van Houten Pharmacy received 100 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after months of working to get certified with the state. The store also spent thousands of dollars to prepare for the vaccine.

The independently owned pharmacy is usually closed Sunday, but the doors were open to get the vaccine to their neighbors.

Twenty of the doses were given to staff and 80 were given to customers.

The process is open to hundreds of independently pharmacies throughout the state.

Pharmacist Dorothy Duffy says it feels like they won the lottery.

"It just feels like we are able to now get these people now vaccinated. We're one step closer to going back to you to somewhat of a normal lifestyle," Duffy said.

VACCINE INFORMATION: Check to see if you are eligible

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION: Where and how to get vaccinated

Clifton resident Marianne Pocock was desperate to find a vaccine for her mother Gertrude until last weekend when she found out Van Houten and Colonial pharmacies would receive the vaccine.

"She was crying, she was so excited. It's been a year and it's been a tough time getting it, number one. We couldn't get the shot. I registered her everywhere and nothing and when you guys came on the news, that was it," Pocock said.

While the process may take months, it is open to hundreds of small independent pharmacies throughout the Garden State, providing small mom-and-pop pharmacies the ability to inoculate on site. For Pocock and her mother and others, they are now looking towards the future.

Wallington resident Olga Figol, is a teacher in Newark. She was originally apprehensive to get the vaccine but believes it will provide an extra layer of protection when she goes back into the classroom this spring.

"This kind of seems to be the light forward, you know," Figol said. "Giving us hope."

Appointments were completely booked on Sunday.

The pharmacy is expecting to get weekly shipments of the vaccine and just like everywhere else, vaccines are by appointment only, which can be done on their website or social media.