SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Dozens of people who’ve put off getting their COVID-19 vaccinations for too long made up for lost time Wednesday at the YMCA in downtown Springfield.

Within the space of a few short hours, dozens received their vaccine or booster shots in this collaboration at the YMCA between the city’s public health department, The Springfield Black COVID-19 Coalition and Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA), a grass routes agency and local group devoted to improving the health of men of color.

“What we noted, we have issues around the city, we want to continue to keep people vaccinated and keep them up to date. We knew people were going to be up and about,” said Lamont Scott, Project Director of MOCHA.

COVID vaccinations moved forward under the banner of several agencies concerned with the public’s health, especially now with less and less emphasis on the Pandemic.

“It’s really important to continue the message that COVID is still out there impacting people and the vaccine gives you a good opportunity to help remediate the symptoms,” said Dexter Johnson, President of the YMCA of Greater Springfield.

The event organizers like to feel that the $75 gift cards for the newly inoculated and booster recipients was just incidental, but dozens of people showed up for this event.