Marcos Narvarro was waiting in line outside the Polo Grounds Senior Center in Washington Heights for his coronavirus vaccine Saturday morning.

"I’m so happy right now," Navarro told NY1.

What You Need To Know

  • On Saturday the City started using some NYCHA facilities to administer the COVID-19 vaccine

  • The NYPD helped kick off the opening of the Polo Grounds Senior Center as a vaccination site

  • Other sites opened by the city this weekend include the Cassidy Lafayette Houses on Staten Island and the Van Dyke Houses in Brooklyn

  • Officials hope to administer around 1,000 doses at the Polo Grounds Senior Center this weekend

Getting the vaccine means a great deal to Navarro. He’s lost several extended family members to the virus.

“Eight people died in my family. Eight people in my family -- cousin, mother-in-law, sister, eight people," Navarro said.

Polo Grounds Senior Center, part of Polo Grounds Towers, is now one of the NYCHA facilities equipped to vaccinate NYCHA residents who are 65 and older.

The site is one of three the city opened at NYCHA complexes this weekend. Cassidy Lafayette Houses on Staten Island and the Van Dyke Houses in Brooklyn are also part of the city’s effort.

On Saturday, the NYPD helped kick off the opening day of the site. NYPD doctors and medics administered the vaccine.

At first, Navarro was turned away because he did not make an appointment in advance. 

"I don't know, I don't know what I do now. Maybe make an appointment for next time. I don't know," Navarro told NY1 when he was first turned away.

Fortunately, the 71-year-old was able to book an appointment on the spot — making the opportunity all the more special.

He looks forward to socializing at the complex with his friends once he gets fully vaccinated. He misses them.

“This is my family here, living in the 10th floor together. I know knock on his door, he knocks on my door. We're good friends," Navarro said, as he stood in line with his neighbor and friend, Juan Rivera, who was also getting vaccinated.

Rivera also got a last-minute appointment.

"I was expecting to go back home and wait a couple of days or maybe a week I don't know," River said. "I'm very happy going in the right direction. We need this."

Officials hope to administer around 1,000 doses at this site over the weekend to eligible NYCHA residents. To make an appointment you can visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.