The Jackson County Health Department administered its first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday afternoon.

The person who received it is no stranger to the workings of the public health system, having spent 16 years as the county’s top health official.

Administrative Medical Assistant Karla Hubbard said Kenneth Bobb was picked to be the first person to receive a vaccine here because he was someone they felt could receive it and reassure the public it is safe.

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Bobb, who lives in Seymour, was the county’s public health officer from 1999 until he retired in 2015 at 87 years of age. At that time, he was just the fourth health officer the county has ever known.

Before receiving his first dose of the vaccine, the now 92-year-old said he was excited to be receiving it.

“It’s such a historic thing for our country to be developing a vaccine in such short order and distributing it as best they can,” he said. “I was excited to be a part of that and let people know they need to be excited about getting it.”

Although he was the first county resident to be vaccinated by the county health department, 1,143 other county residents have already been vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to the Indiana State Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard.

Statewide, 204,326 Hoosiers have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 31,432 people have been fully vaccinated.

Bobb said receiving the shot was “a piece of cake” and said his wife was the main reason for wanting the vaccine.

“I feel relieved because I am a caregiver for my wife, who’s 85 years old, and I want to feel more comfortable about not getting the infection myself and giving it to her,” he said.

Carrie Schryer, public health nurse for the county health department, administered Bobb’s dose. Ironically, Bobb delivered Schryer when she was born.

Because Bobb received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, there is a 28-day window before receiving his second dose. This means he will return to the health department Feb. 9.

After Bobb is completely vaccinated, Bobb said he plans on being with his wife and does not plan on changing his behavior.

“I’m going to go back home and be with my wife,” he said. “I’m not going to change my behavior any. I’m still going to continue to wear a mask and do social distancing and frequent handwashing and do all of those safety things that are beginning to be a second nature with us.”

Once he is fully vaccinated, Bobb said he will feel better about participating in activities with other people, such as going to church, and reassured the precautions he is taking will be effective.

“I will feel more comfortable even doing those protective things and engaging myself in social behaviors again,” Bobb said.