Getting Coronavirus Vaccines In Essex County: See Latest Updates

Newark NJ

09 April, 2021

9:57 AM

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This article was updated on April 9 ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The demand for coronavirus vaccines continues in Essex County, with the state preparing for a big expansion to its eligibility list later this month (learn more below). In Essex County alone, there are more than 40 places to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you qualify. They include a temporary, FEMA-backed vaccine site in Newark, which also serves some zip codes in East Orange and Irvington. Supply shortages have limited the number of people who can get a shot, however, and demand is far outpacing the available doses – a nationwide issue. New Jersey recently added a "vaccine appointment finder" that can be seen here. Find out if you are eligible here. WHERE CAN I GET VACCINATED IN ESSEX COUNTY? Essex County is running five vaccination sites in Livingston, Newark, West Caldwell and West Orange. Each location only serves residents of certain towns (see below). However, people who live in Newark, the state's most populated city, can go to any of the sites. Essex County has rolled out an online schedule that allows residents to see if any appointments are available at its vaccination centers. See the website here. LIVINGSTON Where - Livingston Mall, former Sears building, 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston (Entrance is in the back).Towns Served - Livingston, Belleville, Maplewood, Millburn, Newark, Orange and South Orange NEWARK - ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE Where - Essex County College, 303 University Avenue, Newark (Gym entrance on West Market Street)Towns Served - Newark, East Orange and Irvington NEWARK - DONALD PAYNE SCHOOL Where - Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology, 498-544 West Market Street, NewarkTowns Served - Newark, East Orange and Irvington WEST CALDWELL Where - Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology, 620 Passaic Avenue, West CaldwellTowns Served - West Caldwell, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Newark, North Caldwell and Roseland WEST ORANGE Where - Former Kmart building, 235 Prospect Avenue, West OrangeTowns Served - West Orange, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Montclair, Newark, Nutley and Verona Here's how it works, county officials say: "When vaccinations are available, the sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can make appointments at www.EssexCOVID.org or by calling 973-877-8456. Appointments only can be made after the county receives the vaccines. Vaccinations will be given in two doses. Residents making reservations to receive the vaccination will receive two appointments. It is critical that residents attend both appointments. Residents will be asked to provide their medical insurance information and their insurance provider will be billed $16.94 for the first dose and $28.39 for the second dose. If a resident does not have insurance, the cost of the vaccine will be covered by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Provide Relief Fund. There will be no out-of-pocket expenses charged to residents." Here's what to expect, county officials say: "Each vaccination site is set up in a similar fashion. Residents entering the site will first be pre-screened to verify they have an appointment. Those who do not have an appointment will not be allowed to receive the vaccine that day. Residents will then proceed to a registration table where they will be provided with their paperwork for their visit and receive a card to remind them about their second appointment. After being inoculated with the vaccine, residents will be required to wait 15 minutes while they are monitored for any side effects. Social distancing guidelines will be followed at every site and areas will be sanitized on a regular basis throughout the day." New Jersey has also cleared the way for many other vaccination sites across the state, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, supermarkets, pharmacies and doctor's offices. Some are accepting appointments or have residency requirements, but others do not. People can visit COVIDvaccine.nj.gov to preregister. In Essex County, the state's list currently includes: Belleville Clara Maass Medical Center, 1 Clara Maass Drive / rwjbh.org/covid19vaccineRiverside Medical Group, 195 Cortlandt St., (973) 759-1221 Bloomfield Riverside Urgent Care , 135 Bloomfield Ave., (973) 748-7459Stop and Shop#0800 / see vaccine scheduler hereCVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine Cedar Grove CVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine East Orange East Orange General Hospital, 300 Central Avenue, (973) 266-2995Newark Community Health Center - East Orange, 444 William Street, (973) 675-1900 / nchcfqhc.org/Rite Aid, 543 Central Avenue / riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifierShopRite Pharmacy #225, vaccines.shoprite.comCVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine Fairfield CVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine Irvington Newark Community Health Center - Irvington, 1148-1150 Springfield Avenue, (973) 675-1900 / nchcfqhc.org/Rite Aid, 35 Mill Road / riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier Livingston ShopRite Pharmacy, 483 South Livingston Ave., (973) 992-6854, vaccines.shoprite.comSaint Barnabas Medical Center, 94 Old Short Hills Road, (973) 322-5000 / rwjbh.org/covid19vaccine Montclair Hackensack Meridian Health-Mountainside, 1 Bay Avenue, mountainsidehosp.com/CVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine Newark Newark Community Health Center, 741 Broadway, NCHCFQHC.orgNewark Community Health Center - Ludlow Street, 101 Ludlow Street, /nchcfqhc.org/Newark Community Health Center - Ferry Street, 92 Ferry Street, (973) 323-3669 /nchcfqhc.org/Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, 110 William St., (973) 733-5728, https://newarkcovid19.com/homeShopRite Pharmacy, 206 Springfield Ave., (973) 877-3641, vaccines.shoprite.comLiss Pharmacy, 794 Mt Prospect Ave., (973) 483-4749, www.lisspharmacy.comAngelo's Pharmacy, 492 Ferry Street, 973-589-3591Jewish Renaissance Medical Center, 359 13th Avenue, (732) 376-9333 / jrmc.us/Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, (973) 926-4376 / rwjbh.org/covid19vaccineSaint Michael's Medical Center, St. Mike's POD 111 Central Avenue, (973) 877-5000 / signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44A4AD2BA3FBCF8-sign2University Hospital, 150 Bergen Street, www.uhnj.org/vaccination/Saint James Health Adult Clinic, 228 Lafayette Street, (973) 789-8111 / saintjameshealth.com/Rite Aid, 104 12th Street / riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifierCVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine Nutley Nutley Health Department Adult Clinic, 149 Chestnut Street, 973-877-8456Riverside Medical Group, 228 Franklin Avenue / riversidemedgroup.com Orange Newark Community Health Center - Orange, 37 North Day Street, Floor 3, (973) 323-3669 / nchcfqhc.org/E&M Pharmacy, 205 S. Essex Ave., 973-677-2800, eandmpharmacy.com South Orange Stop and Shop #2817 / see vaccine scheduler here Verona Vanguard Medical Group, 271 Grove Ave, Suite A, (908) 858-3232, www.vanguardmedgroup.com West Caldwell CVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine West Orange CVS Pharmacy, (800) 746-7287, cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine WHO IS ELIGIBLE? New Jersey originally planned to roll out its vaccines in phases. An exact timeline wasn't made available. However, New Jersey took a detour from its distribution plan in January, and has since moved several groups ahead on the list. Here's who was eligible as of April 9: Individuals age 55+Individuals age 16-54 with certain medical conditionsIndividuals age 16-54 with intellectual and developmental disabilitiesChildcare workers in licensed and registered settingsClergyCommunications, IT, and media workersEducators and staff, including pre-K to 12 and higher educationEldercare and support workersElections personnelFirst respondersHealthcare workersHospitality workersIndividuals experiencing homelessness and those living in sheltersJudicial system workersLaundry services workersLibrarians and library support staffLong-term care and high-risk congregate care facility residents and staffMedical supply chain employeesMembers of tribal communitiesMigrant farm workersPostal and shipping service workersPublic safety workersReal estate, building, and home services workersRetail financial institution workersSanitation workersSocial service workers and support staffTransportation workersUtilities workersWarehousing and logistics workers On April 19, that list will expand yet again, Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced. At that time, those eligible will include any New Jersey residents who are 16 and older. The NJ Vaccine Call Center is open with live agents assisting callers! Call 855-568-0545 for info on: vaccine eligibility registering on NJVSS local vaccination sites & more! Agents will be available to take your call 7 days a week, 8am-8pm.https://t.co/IOlygS1aao— NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth) January 25, 2021 VACCINATIONS IN ESSEX COUNTY: A BRIEF BACKGROUND The first COVID-19 vaccinations in New Jersey were given to workers at University Hospital in Newark, with cameras rolling and Gov. Murphy in attendance. First COVID-19 Vaccines In NJ Bring Hope To Newark HospitalMeet 5 Newark Hospital Workers Who Got Historic Vaccinations Essex County opened its five vaccination sites on Dec. 26, 2020, becoming the first county in New Jersey to do so. Officials have been sharing photos from the five Essex County vaccination sites, which are being run by health care professionals and bolstered by volunteers, who are eligible to get a vaccination from the virus in return. Essex County Calls For Volunteers At Coronavirus Vaccine ClinicsHere's Where Essex County Sends Its 'Open, Unused' COVID Vaccines Several local health care workers, emergency responders and elected officials have reported that they got their shots. Essex County Official Gets Vaccinated After Beating CoronavirusNewark Top Cop Says All First Responders Should Get COVID VaccineNorth Caldwell Top Cop Gets COVID Vaccine: 'This Was My Choice' Retirement and nursing home residents throughout the county have also been getting vaccinated. 98% Of Residents At West Caldwell Senior Home Get COVID VaccineEast Orange Retirement Home Gets COVID-19 Vaccines In January, many of those who previously got their first shots received follow-up inoculations, a requirement of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. 2nd COVID Vaccinations Given At West Orange Nursing HomeSchool Nurse From Bloomfield Gets Her 2nd Dose Of COVID VaccineEssex County Prison Doctor Gets Second Shot Of COVID-19 Vaccine In late January, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Newark resident, said Essex County has become a "national model" for getting vaccines "out really quickly and in people's arms." "We've created an effective plan for distribution that ensures our residents get both doses of the vaccine," Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said, tipping his hat to Booker for the recognition. Essex County Is 'National Model' For COVID Vaccines, Sen. Booker Says Meanwhile, some towns and cities have been stepping in to help fill the gaps. In Newark, officials are holding "rotating vaccination locations" throughout the city. "For the past year, our city has been fighting against COVID-19 and our community now has access to the vaccine geared to help give us greater protection from the disease," Mayor Ras Baraka said. In North Caldwell and West Caldwell, municipal officials have been reaching out to homebound residents who can't make it to one of the Essex County vaccination sites or any of the others that have been authorized by the state. "The list will be used by our local health department to coordinate a mobile vaccination plan for all such residents," North Caldwell police stated. In East Orange, the city's Division of Senior Services has been helping local residents register for vaccinations, offering transportation aid to those in need. Essex County Is Giving Seniors Bus Rides To Get COVID Vaccines In Bloomfield, town officials partnered with the county to hold a one-day, "pop-up" vaccination site. A similar effort took place in West Orange, which has also been partnering with Montclair State University's School of Nursing to vaccinate homebound residents. Commissioner VP Carlos Pomares joined County Executive @Joe_D_EssexExec and Pastor Joe Carter of New Hope Baptist Church to promote the importance of the #COVID19 #Vaccine. Over 61,000 county residents have been vaccinated at our 5 centers. @CommissionerWR @BrendanWGill pic.twitter.com/exNUPnvjb0— Essex County Board of Commissioners (@ECCommissioners) February 10, 2021 The rollout in Essex County hasn't been without its issues, however, including severe supply and demand conflicts at the county-run vaccination sites. DiVincenzo offered an update on the process on Jan. 18. He wrote: "We have experienced an extremely high demand from people who want the vaccine and have hit a few bumps in the road. In response, we are continuing to monitor our website, make updates as information and eligible groups change, and tweak our system to improve user experience. We are the only county in the state to have a call center to respond to questions and help those who don't have access to a computer. During these early stages, through no fault of our own, we have experienced network and equipment failure. We are working through these issues and added staff so we can respond to the thousands of calls coming in." DiVincenzo continued: "Unfortunately, the number of people who want the shot far exceeds the doses we have or are scheduled to receive. Because of this, appointments fill up fast and availability is limited. We ask for your patience and understanding that it may take time before everyone can make an appointment. This is not unique to Essex County -This is occurring across the country. We are in constant communication with Governor Phil Murphy and the Department of Health and have requested that more doses be sent to Essex County. While the governor and his staff have been supportive of our efforts, they are experiencing the some supply shortages as we are. The problem exists because of distribution delays by the federal government." Some residents have begun posting about "working the system" on the county's vaccination website to get earlier appointments, earning a plea for "honesty" from DiVincenzo. "Some zip codes have more availability because they are in some of our most vulnerable areas," he said. "We encourage residents to be honest and truthful on our website to ensure that the system remains fair for all of our residents." COVID Vaccines In Essex: Official Makes Plea For 'Honesty' Meanwhile, local officials continue to try to bolster the public's confidence in getting inoculated. In February, Essex County Commissioner President Wayne Richardson shared a video taken at Essex County College in Newark, which serves the cities of Newark, East Orange and Irvington – three of the hardest-hit municipalities in the county when it comes to the coronavirus. Take A Video Tour Of COVID Vaccine Site At Essex County College #Newark #NJ https://t.co/AIiRQJiPyN— PatchEssexCountyNJ (@EK_Patch) February 25, 2021 The following month, Queen Latifah, a Newark native who grew up in East Orange, returned to her old stomping grounds to get a shot. It was part of an effort to boost public confidence in vaccinations, according to local officials, who welcomed the actor, rapper and producer back with open arms. Queen Latifah Gets COVID Vaccine, Films 'The Equalizer' In #Newark #NJ https://t.co/tpTTNPr1n4— PatchEssexCountyNJ (@EK_Patch) March 10, 2021 The arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which joined the Pfizer and Moderna versions, was expected to help get more shots into arms across New Jersey, including Essex County. The county will continue to use the Moderna version at its five vaccination sites, a spokesperson said. Essex County To Go 'Mobile' With Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccines On March 17, Essex County reached a big milestone, giving out its 100,000th first dose of the vaccine at its five centers. Another encouraging update took place in West Orange the next day, when 49 Holocaust survivors received a shot via the county's mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit. 3 Quick 'Good News' COVID Vaccine Updates In Essex County In an effort to get more school staff and teachers vaccinated, Essex County began holding special vaccination times for local public, private, charter and parochial schools in late March. Some towns have reported significant progress, including West Caldwell, where the town's mayor estimated that as many as half of its residents may be vaccinated by April. But if supply wasn't hamstringing the effort, many more shots could be given, some officials say. COVID Vaccine Sites 'Grossly Underused,' Essex County Executive Says Essex County and the surrounding area got a big boost when the largest vaccination site in New Jersey opened on the campus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. New Jersey's Largest Coronavirus Vaccine Site Opens In Newark The vaccination effort also got a spiritual boost when actor and activist Rosario Dawson volunteered at a site in Essex County, getting her own shot that day. Rosario Dawson Gets Vaccine In Newark: 'The Best Weapon We Have' Rosario Dawson Gets COVID Vaccine In #Newark #NJ: 'The Best Weapon We Have' https://t.co/uuayEiIuYK— PatchEssexCountyNJ (@EK_Patch) March 29, 2021 Meanwhile, vaccinations continue for vulnerable populations, including inmates and detainees in the custody of the Essex County Department of Corrections. ATTN Essex County Residents: For help registering for a COVID-19 vaccine, contact our call center at 973-877-8456 or visit https://t.co/8WWgAzfnCi. @CommissionerWR @BrendanWGill @Joe_D_EssexExec #EssexCounty #Vaccine pic.twitter.com/N502Y9b7oa— Essex County Board of Commissioners (@ECCommissioners) March 5, 2021 Have YOU gotten a COVID-19 vaccination in Essex County? Let us know how it went — leave a comment below! Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected]. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch