TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Around 500 people received their second and final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Bethel AME Church on Sunday.
This as vaccine supply is limited across the state, and thousands of seniors in Leon County are still waiting to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
As they wait others are finally getting their second doses.
"Thank you Lord," said Angela Richardson, now breathing a sigh of relief walking out of the fellowship hall turned vaccination room at Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee.
Richardson is one of the hundreds to get her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine after hearing of limited supply in the state.
"I'm glad to see them all coming in, because I was so worried about that but it seems to be doing well," said Richardson.
Despite the weather, lines of people made their way to the church on Sunday.
Senior Minister, Reverend Julius McAllister Jr. said if you give access to the vaccine at a reliable place in the community, people will come.
"We are a trusted resource, the church is a trusted resource. You can have confidence in the persons who are immunizing individuals from all walks of life and that there is no need to have a spirit of fear nor a spirit of trepidation," McAllister said.
That is one reason why Bethel AME and the Department of Health partnered up, as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis' goal to vaccinate seniors in African-American churches.
And the second dose, is supposed to give that extra protection to people like Janice Lowery.
"I just feel a bit more protected," said Lowery.
Increasing defense against the virus up to 95 percent.
"This is a pandemic for the world, not just the United States. I think we all need to participate," Lowery said
Despite the obstacles, the message is the same.
The more vaccinations, the safer it is for everyone.
