Clinical trials for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine are officially underway at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Dr. Ihor Sawczuk is the president of Hackensack Meridian Health's Northern Market and chief research officer. He is the first person at the hospital to receive the injection in the double-blind placebo control trial.

"This trial is for people who are not COVID-19 positive. You have to be negative,” Sawczuk says. "As a physician, and as a researcher, I believe that this is the right thing for me to do to give back. I hope that the others who are considering to volunteer will see that there is nothing to be afraid about."

More volunteers for the trial are needed.