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TRENTON – Six mega sites throughout New Jersey will serve as vaccination hubs for phased priority groups, part of a critical network of over 200 sites tasked with carrying out the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan fairly and equitably, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) announced today.
The six state-coordinated sites are expected to begin opening in early January and will immediately be in position to vaccinate front-line healthcare workers and then continue in a phased approach depending on the supply of vaccine to New Jersey. After these phases are complete, then the general public will be eligible for vaccination. The timing of the progression among the groups depends on the supply of vaccine to the state.
“Building out a core infrastructure of vaccination sites is a critical component of our strategic and efficient deployment of a COVID-19 vaccine and is a key element of New Jersey’s recovery,” said Governor Murphy. “These statewide sites will be in position to vaccinate front line health care workers who are part of the 1a category and will continue for each successive group of New Jerseyans that becomes eligible for vaccination.”
The sites include:
“New Jersey will roll out COVID-19 vaccines step-by-step to serve all who live, work or study in the state,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “New Jersey’s phasing will ensure that limited vaccines are distributed in a fair and equitable manner. With each successive wave, we will get closer to being able to open our vaccination sites to the general public.”
Vaccinations began this week in New Jersey hospitals for paid and unpaid persons serving in their health facilities. Vaccinations of long-term care residents and staff are expected to begin on December 28 through the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program with Walgreens and CVS.
The goal is to vaccinate up to 2,400 people per day through the mega sites. The mega sites are one of several types of sites - including micro, medium and large - that will be utilized in the COVID-19 vaccination plan, classified by the number of people that can be vaccinated per day.
These community-based sites are being established in various settings and locations throughout the state. The sites also will include: county sites, and county and local health departments; urgent care centers; the federally qualified health centers; select retail pharmacies; and primary care providers as the state moves through the vaccination phases and toward availability to the general public. Additional sites will be added as the phases progress.
The Health Department will announce an online portal to enable the various groups in the initial phases and eventually the general public to find a vaccination site and register and schedule an appointment. Some vaccination sites may offer walk-up/on-site registration as well.
The Department is also finalizing a public dashboard which will show doses administered and some demographic information. Data will be updated weekly and refined over time.
The mega sites are a collaborative partnership with the NJDOH, New Jersey All-Hazards Incident Management Team (NJ-AHIMT), New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, healthcare providers, local/county health officials, local/county health departments and local/county emergency management.
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N.J. Health Department Announces Mega Sites As Part of Overall Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Effort
New Jersey