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Mass COVID-19 vaccination site opens at Delavan Grider Community Center

Thomas O'Neil-White

With over 14,000 appointment slots filled, the New York State and Federal Emergency Management Agency mass vaccination site at the Delavan Grider Community Center has reached its appointment ceiling on its first day.

The community center is a priority site for residents of 10 zip codes in the City of Buffalo which the state has identified as having lower vaccination rates.

Standing in line of around 30 people waiting to get inside was Ramona Collins, who was excited to get her first dose.

“I figure of all the shots we get today,” she said. “This one’s so looked into and studied and watched over for every step. I figure it’s the safest vaccine that’s out there right now.”

Collins was worried about where the state would open its mass vaccination site but said it was wonderful that the community center was the chosen destination.

After receiving his first dose, Bill Collins applauded the efficiency of the process, which he says took him about an hour to complete.

“There were people from FEMA and other organizations that were not from Western New York that were here to just do this,” he said. “And they’re to be commended because they were all very professional, friendly and thorough, and a great big thank you to them.”

Appointments can be made through the state’sI Am Eligible website or at the Delavan Grider Community Center.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Thomas moved to Western New York at the age of 14. A graduate of Buffalo State College, he majored in Communications Studies and was part of the sports staff for WBNY. When not following his beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats and Boston Red Sox, Thomas enjoys coaching youth basketball, reading Tolkien novels and seeing live music.
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