A Stratford medical doctor who's taken part in COVID-19 vaccine research got his shot Wednesday and is encouraging others to do the same.

Dr. Gary Blick, the founder of Healthcare Advocates International, received the Moderna vaccine at the Stratford Department of Public Health.

He says between 20-40% of health care professionals in the United States are skeptical of the vaccine's safety, and therefore are holding off on getting their shots.

The Stratford Department of Health says 25% of the town's employees do not plan to get the shot, according to an internal study.

Blick says he's getting the shot on camera to promote the safety of getting vaccinated.

He says many people are refusing to get vaccinated because they believe there has not been enough research.

Health officials say they're waiting for Lamont to tell them who will be next in line to get their shots under Phase 1B.