State-run COVID-19 vaccination sites started allowing walk-in visits for all residents 16 and older on Thursday.
Tanya Gause, 51, and her fiance, Alex Black, 52, decided to take advantage of the new policy, and got the vaccine together during their lunch break.
For Gause, getting vaccinated means spending time with her loved ones again.
“I want to be with my mom and dad, and they're older,” Gause said. “So without that shot, I can't be around my mom and dad, and I miss that family togetherness.”
Gause also said allowing walk-ins makes the vaccination process much easier. She said everyone should take advantage of it, especially the younger population.
“I think it’s very important. Without them getting it, they're going to be exposing other kids and other adults,” Gause said.
As of Thursday, almost half of Monroe County residents have received at least one vaccine dose, and about 38% are fully vaccinated.
Black said now that walk-ins are available, there’s really no excuse not to get vaccinated, and he’s doing his part to get that message out to the community.
“Some sense of security is better than none at all,” Black said. “So people have to come out, and definitely get themselves vaccinated so we can get our community and lives back together.”
For those receiving the two-dose vaccines, walk-ins are welcome for the first dose, but an appointment must be made to receive the second shot.
In the Finger Lakes region, there are two state-run vaccination sites:
- Rochester Dome Arena, 2695 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta.
- Former Kodak Hawkeye parking lot, 1345 St. Paul St., Rochester.
