Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke directly to New Yorkers in minority communities, asking them to trust the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.

Cuomo sounded the alarm for overcoming vaccine accessibility and acceptance in the state's Black and brown communities.

"I understand the skepticism about the federal government and the past federal government and their vaccination approval, it gave the sense that it was political," says Cuomo. "I get the historic skepticism, especially among the Black community with the Tuskegee experiment, et cetera."

Cuomo made a plea to doctors, nurses, community leaders and clergy members to help him get the message out that when people are eligible and doses are available, that they should get the shot.

In an effort to help combat people's doubts, Rev. Dr. Vernon Shelton, pastor of the Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Amityville, says he rolled up his sleeve.

"I was the first one that I know to take it, because I wanted to lead by example," says Shelton.

Shelton says the concerns he hears from people in his church and community are not just about mistrust of the federal government or the medical community.

"'It's too fast, this vaccine, they came up with it too fast, there's not a lot of information about it.' But unfortunately, I think a lot of people are listening to what they see on social media, what they see listening to friends, rather than doing the necessary research," says Shelton.

Shelton says he is heeding the governor's call and will continue to share his vaccine experience.

"I had reservations but I understand that I had to weigh the risks of COVID, versus the risks of the vaccine and I decided that it was, I'd rather take my chances with the vaccine, rather than take my chances with COVID," he says.