The push to get 80% of the adult population on Guam vaccinated against the coronavirus  remains strong, as several COVID-19 vaccination clinics were conducted on the island to accomplish the governor's goal of herd immunity by Liberation Day on Wednesday.

One of the residents who rolled up their sleeves at the Dededo Farmer's Co-Op to get vaccinated was fifty-nine-year-old Robert Hernandez of Dededo. He received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. With the COVID vaccine made available to Hernandez's age group since January, he shared that unfactual social media posts played a role in him being unsure to get vaccinated.

"At first, yeah, because of the media and negative outputs," he shared. "So I took some time to think about it in my head. Is it worth it to let my kids catch that or any of my relatives or my cousins? No. I mean, get it done and get the facts straight."

Hernandez added, "With this COVID going around, there is no guarantee and I want to make sure that I protect myself because of my kids and the same thing because of my family."

He had this message to say to other island residents who may be hesitant to get vaccinated: "Why be afraid? I mean if it does you good, no harm then take the leap of faith. Get it done, don't hesitate about it."

Joint Task Force 671 Sgt. Shaine Munoz, Force Health Protection Non-commissioned Officer in charge said that the vaccine clinic had a good turnout, telling KUAM News, "Operations have been fairly smooth. We have had a consistent flow of people coming in and getting their first doses as well as their second doses, too. So that's always a good thing, we're encouraging people to come out." Munoz said that 49 people got vaccinated at the site Monday.

Meanwhile, Art San Agustin, Director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services confirmed that the vaccination clinic at the UOG Calvo Fieldhouse will be shutting down on July 31. However, he said that covid testing and vaccine efforts with the department will continue until September depending on the numbers.

"We are going to maintain three sites - initially the standing sites at Micronesia Mall, we have the northern and southern community health centers. Chima Mbakwem and his team are also exploring a site for the central part of Guam, for example maybe somewhere in Agana. We haven't confirmed a location yet. But yes, we will continue to do testing and we will continue to do vaccinations," he said.