Cooper, 76ers, Camden County Encourage Residents To Get Vaccine

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — More than 50 percent of the adult population in Camden County has now been vaccinated against the coronavirus as of Thursday, according to officials. Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer said that still means 45 percent have not been vaccinated.

"We need to convince everyone to get a shot," Dyer said during a news conference Thursday afternoon. "The only way we can reach herd immunity is when a majority of people have been vaccinated."

Cooper University Health Care and the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team are doing their part. On Thursday, they announced that they are teaming up for a public service announcement video to raise awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are excited to work with the 76ers, our Camden neighbor, to educate everyone on both the safety and benefits of receiving the vaccine,” Cooper co-CEO Kevin O’Dowd said. “We are grateful to the players, coaches, and the entire Sixers organization for their support of Cooper and their commitment to our vaccine education efforts.”

“Everyone wants to get back to normal and the way to do that is to have enough people receive the COVID-19 vaccine to produce herd immunity, and we are grateful that the Sixers are helping us in this effort,” Cooper co-President/CEO Anthony J. Mazzarelli said.

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“We are grateful to our neighbor and partner Cooper University Health Care for providing vaccines to our players and staff,” 76ers President Chris Heck said. “We believe in using our platform for good, and we hope that through these PSAs we are able to help educate the community.”

76ers Danny Green and Isaiah Joe appear in the video, explaining why they decided to get vaccinated.

“I just wanted to get vaccinated because I wanted to get back to normal and to see my family and friends and inspire others to get our country back to normal,” Green said.

“I got vaccinated because I want to continue to play for fans and to see family and friends,” Joe said. “I want to thank Cooper Hospital for allowing me to get vaccinated.”

As of Thursday, more than 240,000 Camden County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 185,342 have been fully vaccinated. A pop-up vaccine site will take place at Cooper River Park on Saturday.

The Camden County COVID-19 Vaccination Center at Camden County College, 200 College Drive in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, still only offers the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Officials are working with the state to get the Pfizer vaccine set up at the site, particularly since it is the only vaccine currently approved for residents ages 16 and 17. Read more here: District Helping Gloucester Township Students Get Vaccinated

The Vaccination Center is now accepting walk-in appointments. When those who wish to walk-in arrive, they will be greeted by a security guard and shown where to park, according to Camden County Assistant Public Health Coordinator Caryelle Lasher.

The guard will let them know when they can go in to get their shot, and the process is the same as if residents scheduled an appointment ahead of time. They need some form of identification, and officials remind everyone to wear a mask. Walk-ins are accepted at any time.

The Vaccination Center is currently open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who still wish to schedule an appointment can do so by visiting CamdenCountyVaccine.com.

Anyone who receives the Moderna vaccine will still be required to schedule a second shot appointment 28-days after they receive their first.

Camden residents can also continue to be vaccinated at the Kroc Center in Camden. The Kroc Center is open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments can be made by visiting my.cooperhealth.org or by calling 856-225-6141. Additional walk-up appointments may be available based on supply.