COVID Vaccine: Historic Abyssinian Baptist Becomes First Church In New York City To Administer Shots

COVID Vaccine: Historic Abyssinian Baptist Becomes First Church In New York City To Administer Shots

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Throughout the weekend the state’s vaccination program expanded to several sites in underserved communities. On Sunday, for the first time, a church opened its doors for appointments.

That’s right. The historic Abyssinian Baptist Church on West 138th Street filled all 250 appointments, CBS2’s Lisa Rozner reported.

It is in partnership with the state and SOMOS Community Care, which is doing the scheduling.

MORE: COVID Vaccine Demand Outpacing Supply; More Appointments Canceled As New Vaccination Centers Open In New York City

Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced residents age 65 and older and those who are immunocompromised are eligible for the vaccine.

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People were getting vaccinated at the church from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

But even those who couldn’t get an appointment waited for hours outside in hopes of there being a cancellation.

MORE: COVID Vaccine: More Distribution Sites Open Across NYC While New Yorkers Say Appointments Are Vanishing, Being Rescheduled

Rozner spoke to Pastor Calvin Butts and people who got vaccinated Sunday.

“People trust their church. We’ve been here for 213 years and they believe that we would bring them something that would be good for the health of the community,” Butts said.

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“I’m just wondering why the communities that were hit the hardest were the last to get vaccines. We got Harlem Hospital. They were were dying over there 10, 20 a day. My mom and brother died over there,” a resident said.

“I’m in a shelter around the corner, so I need this because it’s a lot of people in there and so I need this so I can live,” Harlem resident Frank Solomon-Williams said.

Another 250 slots are already filled for Monday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After that, it will depend on supply. Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he expects the city to run out of vaccine doses this week.

CBS2’s Lisa Rozner contributed to this report

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January 18, 2021 at 06:01AM