Hospitals across Long Island are preparing plans to receive the newly approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Huntington Hospital Executive Director Dr. Nick Fitterman rolled up his sleeve Friday morning to be the first medical worker at the hospital to get Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

"I promised my staff I would be the first in line, that I would not ask them to take a vaccine unless I felt it was safe and effective," says Fitterman.

Huntington Hospital joined the list of other medical institutions giving the vaccine out to hospital workers and nursing home residents this week. Kate Paterno, a critical care nurse, also got the vaccine after Fitterman.

"We've seen a lot of families be torn apart because of this disease and it's really important that when everyone is available to get the vaccine that they really take it into consideration," says Paterno.

With the Moderna vaccine added to the mix, doctors say the two different COVID shots will make it easier for people to have access to get vaccinated. Fitterman adds that the Moderna vaccine doesn't have to be kept at the same severely cold temperatures as the Pfizer vaccine does.

"And it's a little more stable over time once it's thawed out. So that may be a vaccine that's more readily distributed to physician practices, to nursing homes and other congregate settings," says Fitterman.

As far as safety and effectiveness, Fitterman says Pfizer and Moderna seem to be the same. However, he says we are still months away from the vaccines being rolled out to the public at large and achieving herd immunity. He says it's important to keep wearing masks and social distance, especially during the holidays.