CLEVELAND — As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease across the country, thousands of Ohioans remain not fully vaccinated against the virus. 

Health workers are using a series of pop-up vaccination clinics to close the gap in northeast Ohio by providing a greater incentive than just good health. 

About 57% of people across Ohio have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Ronny Batey got her first dose Saturday. 

“I’m ready,” she said. 

She said she was waiting on a divine intervention before making the move to become vaccinated. She joined dozens of other people at Imani United Church of Christ in Euclid for a pop-up vaccination clinic. 

“When they asked for volunteers and places for the people to get shots that was one of the things that we immediately started doing,” said Angela Bowman, an event coordinator for Imani United Church of Christ. 

She said she wanted to help the community get back to normal. 

“We’re just making it available,” she said. “And so that there can’t be that excuse, ‘We don’t know where to go or we don’t have anywhere to go.’”

Brikelle Hicks said she’s given more than 400 shots since she started administering the vaccine a few months ago. 

“Because I care,” she said. “I really care.”

Hicks, a medical assistant, said she’s received the shot herself. 

“I got the vaccine, no limbs fell off,” she said. “I’m healthy, I’m fine and we’re decreasing the numbers so we can stop wearing these [masks].”

Money was another motivating factor for people getting the shot Saturday. 

“Even while they’re getting the vaccines, they’re calling their family and friends,” said Hicks. “‘Come on in, get this hundred dollars,’ and they’re coming.”

The clinic was a part of the Dollars for Doses series hosted by the Greater Cleveland Congregations and The Centers, and offered $25 to $100 per shot.

Clinics are scheduled at various churches through September.