The Garden’s State’s biggest city is taking steps to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of the Health and Wellness Festival at University Hospital in Newark.

News 12 is told by University Hospital CEO Dr. Shareff Elnahal that vaccine hesitancy is starting earlier than expected.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION: Where and how to get vaccinated

Only 24% or Newark’s population has been fully vaccinated, which is less than the 34% of the population that has been vaccinated statewide.

Director of Community Affairs at University Hospital Brooke Tippens says she thinks the lack of vaccine is due to accessibility, but says the event Saturday made things easier and no appointments were needed.

“They need to get up, get in a car, get in a Lyft, get in an Uber and make their way here,” Tippens says.

Elnahal says they’ve had to get creative, including getting mobile vans to help get the vaccine straight to people.

“We just have to make it easier to get access to the shot,” Elnahal says. “A lot of folks have jobs and it’s difficult to take a day off of work and potentially another two days because of side effects so the easier we make it on weekends and walk-in basis and now going out into the community with vans.”

Residents will have fill out registration forms in-person at the mobile unit. Then, they can get the shot and relax for 15 minutes before heading back home.

There were also screenings of glucose, colon cancer, blood pressure and vision at the clinic.