TAMPA, Fla. — A whole new world opened up for Miriam Hernandez on Sunday morning as she got the COVID-19 vaccine, one of the hundreds in the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal M.I. church congregation in West Tampa who got the shot.

“It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing, of course, it’s a blessing,” she said.

About 600 Johnson & Johnson vaccines were made available to the congregation.

Pastor David Rivera says the past year has been tough on the predominantly Hispanic church.

“(The pandemic) affected the members of the church. The church has slowed down in every area,” he said.

“We know that our African American, the Latino community is lagging in vaccinations, so it’s important to be here in West Tampa,” said U.S. Rep Kathy Castor, who visited the church during the event on Sunday.

Sunday’s event is just another step in building equity in communities of color.

“It’s a reassurance. People figure if the church is doing it then it must be ok. So we’re letting them know yes it’s okay and you need to get it done,” Rivera said.

Now folks like Hernandez are looking forward to getting back to normal.

“To do the things I used to do before, but overall I want to see my mom,” she said.

Rivera hopes this will encourage other members of the Hispanic community to get their vaccines.

“You need to get it done. The message is you need to get it done for your benefit and for everyone that comes around you,” he said.