Residents get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at a clinic in Norwich earlier this year. From 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 13, the Chenango County Health Department will be holding a free walk-in clinic at the Greenway Park on River Street in Norwich. (Photo by Zachary Meseck)

NORWICH — On Thursday, May 13, the Chenango County Health Department will be holding a free walk-in clinic for those who wish to get vaccinated.

The clinic will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in Greenway Park on River Street. They will be administering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We're going to do an open walk-up clinic, first-come, first-served until we're out of vaccine," said Health Department Public Information Officer Isaiah Sutton.

According to Sutton, they will only be administering the vaccine to those 18 and older, in accordance with CDC guidelines. Sutton also stated that anyone currently or recently sick, or anyone that has had a vaccine in the last week, should hold off on getting the jab.

"If you're currently sick or have been sick very recently, or have received other vaccinations in the past week we recommend that you wait or contact your medical provider," said Sutton.

Sutton expressed the health department's desire to make vaccines more accessible to residents, stating that they want to get vaccines "closer to where people live, work, and play."

He also explained that the demand for vaccines is slowing, so the health department is encouraging residents to get vaccinated.

"We encourage anyone who's interested or even remotely interested to come out and get vaccinated," said Sutton. "We're so close to getting ahead of this thing."

Residents who wish to get vaccinated this Thursday do not need an appointment, and can expect to fill out a health screening beforehand, according to a clinic advertisement released by the health department. Those who receive the vaccine will also be asked to wait on-site for 15 minutes after being vaccinated.

"The biggest message is now is the time," said Sutton. "We're so close to beating this thing. We only need 20 percent more of the population to get vaccinated to reach our target, so we need people to go out and get it."