Hillsborough, Montgomery To Host Joint COVID Vaccination Clinics

HILLSBOROUGH/MONTGOMERY, NJ — Montgomery and Hillsborough are teaming up to offer a series of joint COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout May and June as part of a push to maximize the number of their residents protected against the novel coronavirus.

Hillsborough and Montgomery will alternate between their respective senior centers on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to Noon. They will also hold a series of "pop-up" clinics, usually on Thursdays, with the exact time and location changing as part of a strategy of reaching out to hesitant populations.

The Saturday clinics will feature the Moderna vaccine, while the pop-up clinics will use either the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine or Moderna, based on supply. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted.

"This collaboration with Hillsborough is based on the fact that local health departments are best able to reach vaccine-hesitant residents," said Montgomery Township Mayor Devra Keenan. "It also addresses the physical distance between our towns and the county’s primary vaccine site in Branchburg."

"With New Jersey largely reopening in May, everyone should get vaccinated as quickly as possible," said Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani. "Vaccines are readily available now, so make an appointment today."

Here some dates of the upcoming clinics in May:

• Saturday, May 8, Otto Kaufman Community Center in Montgomery
• Thursday, May 13, Montgomery ShopRite Plaza, 4-7pm.
• Saturday, May 15, Hillsborough Municipal Building (Senior Meeting Room)
• Thursday, May 20, Location to be announced
• Saturday, May 22, Otto Kaufman Community Center in Montgomery
• Thursday, May 27, Hillsborough Municipal Building (Senior Meeting Room)

Additional dates in June will be announced soon.

The clinics can be reserved through the state COVID website at covidvaccine.nj.gov or via the Montgomery Township website at twp.montgomery.nj.us/covid-vaccine-clinics.

Residents uncomfortable signing up online can call Montgomery Township at 908-359-8211 ext. 2400.

Vaccination Numbers

Both Hillsborough and Montgomery are well ahead of state and county averages as far as vaccinations with at least two-thirds of adults having received one or more doses of the vaccine by late April.

As of April 26, 73 percent of Montgomery residents have one or both doses of the vaccine and 67 percent of Hillsborough residents have one or both doses.

"Reaching hesitant people will take a big investment in time, to answer questions and build trust," said Hillsborough Health Officer Siobhan Spano. "But that’s how we end this pandemic and get back to normal."

Any local non-profits, service organizations, houses of worship, and other groups that might be interested in offering a pop-up clinic to their members and clients can contact dpatel@twp.montgomery.nj.us.

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