Officials call on vaccinated population to help hesitant people get COVID-19 vaccine

Thousands of people have gotten the vaccine at Dutchess County's COVID-19 vaccination site in Poughkeepsie yet work on the vaccine front continues.

News 12 Staff

Apr 27, 2021, 10:20 PM

Updated 1,258 days ago

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Local and federal officials from the area are calling on the vaccinated population to talk to those who may be hesitant to roll up their sleeve.
Thousands of people have gotten the vaccine at Dutchess County's COVID-19 vaccination site in Poughkeepsie yet work on the vaccine front continues.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro says as the vaccine supply meets demand, they are seeing a slight drop in the amount of people coming in to get vaccinated - possibly because of issues getting to appointments or hesitancy.
"The next phase of our response is to convince people that might be a little skeptical that it's safe," says Molinaro. "Being vaccinated is safe. It's appropriate and it is the next step toward reopening, a rebirth, a renewal -- in getting back to what I hope is a better normal."
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney is echoing the same message.
"There's really no reason why everyone can't be vaccinated. Do it for yourself. Do it for your loved ones. It's your patriotic duty," he says.
Both officials are encouraging anyone with concerns to speak with health experts or those they trust who have been vaccinated.
"It's going to be conversation after conversation. At Dunkin' Donuts. At church. At the soccer field. Saying, 'Oh yeah, fine, you convinced me.' That is going to be what gets us to that last 5% to 10%. Whatever it is," says Molinaro.
The percentage of each county's population that has been fully vaccinated currently stands at:
31% in Dutchess
34% in Putnam
36% in Westchester
29% in Rockland
25% in Orange
Dutchess County government officials say they are planning to partner with some of the larger employers in the county to help get those employees vaccinated.