FORT KNOX, Ky. — Fort Knox began issuing COVID-19 vaccines to soldiers and first responders on Wednesday.

The first batches of Moderna’s long-awaited vaccine arrived at Fort Knox with soldiers and essential personnel receiving the first doses.

Major General John R. Evans Jr. is the Commanding General for the United States Army Cadet Command. Evans received the vaccine and stressed its safety.

"This is a safe and an effective vaccine and I wanted to be up there first up to tell my soldiers, 'hey you can get this safely, look at me 54 year old man, come on up here, get the vaccine, protect yourself and families,'" Evans said.

Dozens of military personnel rolled up their sleeves including Major General Evans. He says early vaccinations are important in maintaining military readiness. 

“As military members, particularly uniform military members we are constantly getting vaccines and inoculations for different types of disease that may not be here in the United States anymore, but when we deployed forward we have to have them to protect ourselves,” Evans said.

Top military leaders said the arrival of the vaccine paves a way to protect military communities and the country against the deadly virus.

"For months and months all of America was going, 'oh my God I can’t wait for the vaccine to get here.' It’s here folks," Evans said. "Take the vaccine, it’s going to be effective, it’s going to protect our country, our populations, I’m excited to be able to get it today and I’m excited to be able to offer it to Fort Knox residents and soldiers."

Chief of Preventative Medicine at Fort Knox Dr. James Stephens said the clinic was able to deliver the vaccine after four months of careful preparation and training. 

He said the vaccines will be distributed in a two-dose series, separated by 28 days.

“Trying to make sure we had the storage, training is different for both of them because each of them has a different emergency use authorization, each of them have a different manufacturer training,” Stephens explained. 

About 200 military personnel got their first dose on Wednesday, including Jeff Hoffman, a firefighter on the post. 

“I feel like as first responders not only to protect ourselves but more importantly family, friends, and the community we serve here on Fort Knox,” Hoffman said.

While health professionals acknowledged the success of vaccines arriving, Dr. Stephens asks Kentuckians to continue taking the virus seriously. 

“Even if we get the vaccine it decreases our chances of possibly getting it, decreases the severity, but we still don’t want you to be around a sick person or a sick person to get others sick so please wear the mask, wash your hands, follow all the hygiene rules. 

Under the FDA emergency use approval, the vaccine is voluntary but recommended by the military.