GREEN BAY, Wis.— The first batch of frontline healthcare workers in northeastern Wisconsin received their first of two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday.

Kayla Kennedy is an ICU nurse at Green Bay’s HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. She was the first person to receive the vaccine in that health system.

“We’re making history here today— protecting our patients,” Kennedy said. 'We’re coming in as a group and showing the community this is what we need to do.”

Prevea Health president and CEO Dr. Ashok Rai says more than 49 thousand doses of the vaccine were distributed throughout healthcare systems in Wisconsin. The first people to receive the vaccine are frontline healthcare workers and people living in long-term care homes.

Rai also received the vaccine Wednesday and says it was an emotional moment.

"It didn’t hurt and I can’t wait for 21 more days,” Rai said. “You’ll get a shot today and another one 21 days from now, and about a couple weeks after that you should have protection. If COVID-19 were to try to enter into your body, your body would detect it and prevent that infection.”

Bellin Health Infectious Disease's Dr. Michael Landrum says he hopes the public trusts the vaccine being developed will help stop the pandemic. He says he will not hesitate to take it once it’s available to him.

“This is really what can end the pandemic and bring us all back to a more normal type of lifestyle that we’re used to,” Landrum said.​