NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- The first phase of a novel coronavirus vaccine trial is now underway at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach.

Volunteers are testing out the potential vaccine, which is the first and only vaccine to be developed in California. The company ImmunityBio is behind the vaccine.

Irvine resident Chen Cao became the very first research volunteer to receive the novel COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday at Hoag Hospital .