ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The state and FEMA run vaccination clinic in the former Kodak Hawkeye plant parking lot at the corner of Avenue E and St. Paul Street is now up and running in Rochester.

There was a soft opening Tuesday afternoon with around 250 doses administered to eligible neighborhood residents.

"It wasn't a long wait. Your appointments are set. It was easy. A lot of people died from it so it's a good thing to do to protect you and your family," said Phyllis DeCoste of East Irondequoit.

The site is projected to administer 1,000 vaccinations per day during normal hours. The site begins operating on a regular schedule Wednesday morning, running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Organizers are asking people not to arrive more than 15 minutes before your appointment so that there's not a long line of people waiting.

The site supervisor explains the process when you arrive for your shot.

"We ask them a series of questions to ensure that no one has COVID coming in because we wouldn't want to expose the facility and have it shut down and not be beneficial to everyone trying to get a vaccine," said Rochester Vaccination Site Supervisor Susan O'Neill. "So once we've done a pre-screening, they go through the registration process and then proceed to get their vaccines."

You will have to wait about 15 minutes after your shot to make sure you don't have a reaction to the vaccine.

The first week of operation will focus on residents in a dozen city zip codes. They can sign up through the state website, by calling 311, or by visiting a number of R-Centers and city library branches. Rochester YMCA locations are also offering assitance with signing up for a vaccination.

As of Wednesday, registration for the Avenue E site opened up to anyone in Monroe County who is eligible for the vaccine. Those vaccinations will begin on March 16.

To find out if you are eligible or to register for a vaccine, head to the state's "Am I Eligible" website or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).