FRANKFORT, Ky. — Several more Kentucky leaders, including Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, received their COVID-19 vaccines Wednesday.

In addition to Coleman, Chief Judge Denise G. Clayton of the Kentucky Court of Appeals; acting Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr., Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett; Gov. Andy Beshear’s chief of staff, La Tasha Buckner, and his senior advisor, Rocky Adkins; and Virginia Moore, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing also received the shot.

“Today, I proudly took the vaccine that is ending our fight against COVID-19. Thank you to the countless scientists, physicians and logistics experts who made this possible. You are heroes, and Team Kentucky extends our deepest thanks,” said Coleman. “As more vaccines are currently being distributed to front-line health workers and those most at risk, let us continue the work to build a better Kentucky for everyone.”

Virginia Moore receives her COVID-19 vaccine. COURTESY GOVERNOR'S COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Those who received the vaccine Wednesday emphasized its importance.

“I appreciate the opportunity to take the COVID vaccination. This year has been a time of great sacrifice and suffering. It has also been a time when people have stepped up and worked together to help each other,” Clayton said. “I am encouraged that this vaccine may allow us to meet together and continue the work that has been achieved this year to foster a compassionate and caring society.”

On Tuesday, Beshear and his wife, Britainy, received their first COVID-19 vaccines. Other state leaders received the vaccine the same morning, including Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack, Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton, Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown, Senate President Robert Stivers (R), and Speaker of the House David Osborne (R).

“These vaccines are safe, they’re effective, and they will save the lives of thousands of Kentuckians and help us end this long nightmare,” said Beshear. “By the end of this month, we are expecting more than 200,000 doses of vaccines that will slow the spread of COVID and protect our health care heroes, our veterans and residents and workers at long-term care facilities.”

The vaccinations come a little over a week after Dec. 14, when the first round of hospitals began administering doses of Pfizer's vaccine to frontline healthcare workers. Vaccine distribution continued into this week, with long-term care facilities receiving their first vaccines Monday.

According to a press release from the governor's office, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been administered to over 8,800 Kentuckians, predominantly healthcare workers.

Beshear is expecting the state to receive more than 202,000 vaccine doses before the end of the month with the second dose coming for each about three to four weeks later.

Haeli Spears is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 Kentucky. She is a University of Louisville graduate who started her career with Spectrum News in May, 2020.