BY DONATHAN SALKALN | For four hundred and ten residents of Elliott and Fulton Houses, and their Chelsea neighbors, Sat., March 13 will be marked V-Day, as each received a victory over COVID-19, in the form of a Johnson and Johnson’s one-time-vaccine shot.

The event was a joint effort between Walgreens (owner of Duane Reade Pharmacies), New York State Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, the Hudson Guild Elliott Center, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19. The vaccine was administered by Walgreens at the Hudson Guild Elliott Center (441 W. 26th St.), in the heart of the Elliott Houses campus.

“Over four hundred people were able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at our pop-up event in Chelsea. I was proud to partner with Hudson Guild and Walgreens to help local residents get vaccinated to help protect themselves and all of us,” said Assembly Member Gottfried.

“A local Duane Reade pharmacy [W. 43rd St. & Ninth Ave.] contacted us, offering to provide vaccines if we were able to organize a distribution site,” explained Matthew Tighe, Director of Community Affairs for Assembly Member Richard Gottfried. “Hudson Guild was able to provide the perfect site on very short notice. They helped the line run smoothly and efficiently, and kept the crowds spirits up while they waited.”

Those that answered the call at Hudson Guild were Helen Paule, Aris Johnson, Edwin Melendez, Daisy Mendoza and LeeAnn Scaduto. Also helping out was Maia Berlow, Legislative Aide to New York State Senator Brad Hoylman.

Waiting in line was Miguelina, a healthcare worker in her 50s. “I was trying to avoid the shot, but then I liked the fact that the Johnson and Johnson is just one shot,” she said. Miguelina had come early for her four o’clock appointment and was happy to be accommodated at 2pm.

Another COVID-19 vaccine event is scheduled for Friday, March 19, 9:30am-5pm at Hudson Guild Elliott Center (441 W. 26th St. btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). Appointments are again required, and are for those 60 years old or older or those in a school or child care setting. Appointments are mandatory and you must bring a government issued photo ID. Click here to schedule an appointment.

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