KENTUCKY — Gov. Andy Beshear (D) received his first dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday morning alongside his wife, Britainy, and several other state leaders.

Others who received the vaccine include 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).

Beshear reiterated his confidence in the vaccine.

“I would not risk my life. More importantly, I would not risk the life of my family if I did not believe that this vaccine was safe,” he said.

“These vaccines are a Christmas miracle,” Beshear continued. “They are a gift that we have received this December, and they are our best vehicle for defeating this virus once and for all.”

Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack also received his COVID-19 vaccine. // COURTESY GOVERNOR'S COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Stack was the first of the group to receive the vaccine.

“I think it’s very important for leaders to step forward and demonstrate their confidence in this, and for Kentuckians to take comfort and confidence in that, so we can put this pandemic behind us and get back to the lives that we miss so much," he said before receiving the vaccine.

The nurse who administered the vaccines, Michelle Searcy, BSN, RN, received the shot herself. Searcy is a school health supervisor with the Franklin County Health Department. RN and school health nurse Amy Cubellis administered the vaccine to Searcy. 

The vaccinations come just over one week since some of the Commonwealth's first vaccines were administered to frontline healthcare workers. On Monday, vaccinations began in the state's long-term care facilities.

As of this morning, Beshear said, at least 7,000 Kentuckians have received their vaccinations.

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.