According to a report by the non-profit media organisation, Jennifer Haller offered to receive the experimental vaccine named mRNA-1273 after she heard that researchers were looking for volunteers.

She said the shot made her arm a bit sore, “but besides that, no, no side effects” on Monday, when phase 1 of the trial began.

Trial subjects will receive two doses of the vaccine over a 28-day period, and will be monitored for 14 months with regular blood tests to show if the vaccine is activating their immune systems.

“I wanted to do something because there’s so many millions of Americans that don’t have the same privileges that I’ve been given,” said Haller, adding that many people were now losing their jobs and were concerned about their financial situation.

According to the report, vaccines typically take years to develop but with the death toll rapidly rising, researchers feel they cannot wait.

The vaccine Haller received is developed by the National Institutes of Health and Massachusetts-based biotechnology firm Moderna Inc.

The vaccine does not use any form of the virus, so Haller cannot contract Covid-19 although this does not mean it is risk-free.

Haller had to sign a 45-page waiver prior to participating in the trial.

“This was just something that I could do and that I wanted to do.”

The report added that Moderna is one of at least 20 drug manufacturers worldwide working on Covid-19 vaccines and treatment.