Medical experts across the world and in the Hudson Valley are becoming increasingly optimistic about a coronavirus vaccine.

On Monday, pharmaceutical company Moderna announced its coronavirus vaccine is 94.5% effective at preventing the disease.

The news comes after last week's announcement that Pfizer's vaccine was 90% effective.

Dr. Ihor Sawczuk is one of 30,000 people who participated in Moderna's vaccine trial.

The chief research and institutional officer at Hackensack Meridian Health set his fears aside, becoming the very first volunteer at the hospital's Moderna trial site to get vaccinated. He does not know if he got a placebo or the actual COVID-19 vaccine.

"I was looking out for possible adverse reactions. I did not have any soreness, at site of injection, I had no muscle aches no fevers, no chills. I felt fine," he said.

Dr. Sawczuk received his first dose in late September, and a second one 28 days later.

"If you don't want to get it now, then just sit back and watch over the next few weeks...few months..and don't say you're never going to get it," he says.

Moderna says it plans to seek FDA authorization for the immunization after more safety data is gathered later this month.