Anne Geleta has been living in the same home in Saratoga County for the last 50 years. She isn't able to get out much and has spent a lot of time at home because of the pandemic. 

"I try to be as independent as I could," she said. "But thank God I'm able to stay here."

That's made it difficult for Geleta and other homebound people like her to get a COVID vaccine. So the vaccine is coming to her. 

On a warm Tuesday morning, Alan Bell of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon EMS was bringing her the first of two doses manufactured by Moderna.

"We're going to give it today, and then four weeks later, we're going to be back to give it again," Bell said. 

His trip to Geleta's home for the vaccination is part of a broader effort for people who can't travel great distances to get their shots. Mass vaccination sites run by the state have opened in communities across upstate New York.

But some New Yorkers, many of them older people, have had to travel hours by car ride to get vaccinated. So it's fallen to EMS workers like Bell to provide in-home shots. 

Saratoga County officials urge people not to call their local EMS provider for a vaccine appointment. Homebound people are asked to check the state's vaccine website or check with their county public health department. 

So far, nearly 20% of New Yorkers have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. Gellata is now one of them. 

Geleta, happy to get her first shot and restore some independence, thinks everyone who can get a shot, should. 

"Especially the younger people," she said, "because they don't seem to be following the guidelines."

On this day, Bell is vaccinating about 50 people across three communities. Each person counts toward ending the pandemic. 

"A lot of people have been living in fear for the last year," Bell said. "So the ability to be helpful in ending this and giving them some of their life back is really rewarding."