WEST SPRINGFIELD – As of Jan. 10, all first responders in West Springfield had received the COVID-19 vaccine.

The original plan for the state of Massachusetts was to have vaccines available for first responders by Jan. 11, but an early shipment of the Moderna vaccines allowed public health nurses in West Springfield to begin distribution a week earlier.

“I’m immensely thankful for our public health director and public health nurse for really stepping up and taking a leading role in making sure we were one of the first to receive the vaccine for our first responders,” Mayor William Reichelt said.

Among the first responders who received the vaccine were members of the West Springfield Fire and Police departments.

“It is very important for the members of the department to receive the vaccine as soon as possible,” said William Flaherty, fire chief at the West Springfield Fire Department.

Flaherty, who was one of the first individuals to receive the Moderna vaccine on Jan. 5, said that the initial side effect was “pain in the arm” where the shot was received.

“We are responding to medical emergencies involving people who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residents here in town and surrounding communities,” said Flaherty. “Receiving the vaccine this early not only protects us, but our families and anyone else we come in contact with.”

The fire chief also stated that “several” firefighters are currently out sick due to a positive COVID-19 test. He said that due to these circumstances, receiving the vaccine at this particular time was integral for his department’s future health.

“It feels great knowing that soon we will be back to some kind of normalcy in our everyday lives,” said Flaherty.

Phase two of vaccine distribution throughout the state of Massachusetts is expected to occur between February and April. According to the state’s vaccine plan, which can be found on the MassGov website, phase two individuals include people who are over the age of 65, early education and K-12 workers, transit, grocery, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works and public health workers.