NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) - First responders at Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany continue to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

"I think that's the best thing you can do to protect yourself and all of those around you," Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bob Barnett said.

Betsy Martin, another hospital employee, received the vaccine Tuesday. She, like Barnett, is urging everyone she knows to take the vaccine.

So far, approximately 100 doctors, nurses and employees have received the first dose of the vaccine.

"This vaccination is the only hope for us to get a handle on this virus,” Chief Nursing Officer Heather Reid said. “It [virus] seems to just be spreading like wildfire. So, I think this is our best hope to vaccinate as many people as we can to keep our healthcare workers safe, to enable us to be able to treat our patients."

Reid said Baptist Memorial will provide vaccines for local health professionals outside of the hospital as well.

Those who have received the first dose will have to wait 28 days to receive the second dose.