Here's What A Sussex County COVID Vaccination Clinic Is Like

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ - As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues here is what those visiting the Sussex County Fairgrounds can expect.

As the County of Sussex COVID-19 vaccine supply is replenished following the first days of its clinic, the coordinators of the county’s clinic have honed the process.

According to Sussex County officials, the county must wait each week for official notification from the State of New Jersey with details about the vaccine distribution from the state to the county. Once the county has received confirmation that the state has shipped its vaccine doses, officials say they expect to service approximately 500 new clients weekly at the county’s vaccine clinic.

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That, plus the time-sensitivity of scheduling vaccine appointments, only permits a window of no more than a two-week scheduling block, after the county receives its vaccine doses per shipment from the state.

Those who would like a vaccine appointment, should check the county’s website frequently for updates and upcoming time slots, which are based on certain criteria including those in designated age brackets, with health conditions and who are frontline workers.

After the county receives its vaccine shipment, a multi-step process occurs to ensure each vaccine recipient is allocated their first and second doses.

“The process includes so much more than just the vaccination,” said Julia Gurriell,
Sussex County’s Division of Health COVID Coordinator.

Gurriell said the process for those seeking a COVID-19 vaccination begins with registration after the county’s vaccine supply has been confirmed and timeslots are designated.

Getting An Appointment

The county’s website offers a portal to the Fairgrounds clinic at 37 Plains Road in Frankford Township, as well as others in the region at: www.sussex.nj.us/covid19. Registration can only be completed online and Gurriell said those in the area without internet access or senior citizens with difficulty navigating the online system, may contact Sussex County’s Division of Senior Services for further assistance during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: 973-579-0555.

For those able to access the county’s webpage, the next step is to click on the red banner that reads “Get Vaccinated,” to make an appointment. Once in the appointment calendar, click on an available date. Each date that is greyed out is unavailable for appointments. Each person receiving a vaccine dose must be registered separately.

Individuals unable to procure an appointment time due to appointment availability, should check back on the county’s website for upcoming available appointment times. Appointment blocks are created as vaccine supplies are received.

After an appointment is set, a confirmation will be sent to the email address on file. Individuals should print out this confirmation form, as well as the vaccine consent form on the webpage, which must be completed prior to the appointment. Individuals will not be admitted to the vaccine clinic without their printed confirmation form.

To cancel an appointment, the registrant must do so through the link on their email or by calling: 973-579-0570.

Arrival

Gurriell said the next step when arriving to the Fairgrounds is to present the printed vaccination confirmation form to the Sussex County Office of Emergency Management representatives from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, who will direct each vehicle to the
next checkpoint.

Prior to being vaccinated, Gurriell said individuals undergo a prescreening process.

Those with underlying medical conditions, including a history of allergic reactions, Gurriell advised, should speak to their doctor before registering for the clinic. Some may be denied entry, Gurriell added, based on the prescreening portion of the clinic, per the criteria established by the county’s medical director.

Following pre-screening, Gurriell said drivers are directed to the Richards Building, where they drive into the building and remain in their vehicles while they are inoculated. Gurriell credited the volunteers from the Medical Reserves Corps for helping the operations to run smoothly at the clinic, as well as non-medical volunteers, who have additionally assisted with the process. Data input and monitoring individuals after they have been inoculated are all part of the vaccination clinic.

“It’s been so amazing with our volunteer staff,” Gurriell said, which includes MRC members, as well as Community Emergency Response Team members from the county and some individual municipalities.

Disaster Response Crisis Counselors are additionally at the site, to assist individuals attending the clinics, should any need arise pertaining to emotional wellness. She also thanked the staff at the Fairgrounds, which she called a significant partner in providing the space to safely conduct the clinic.

After inoculation, each person must sit and wait for either a 15 or 30 minute timeframe in their vehicles in the designated waiting areas, depending on their medical history. Each waiting area is staffed with volunteers, including EMT’s, to monitor individuals who may require assistance or have questions after their vaccination.

The appointment will also conclude with the scheduling of the second vaccination appointment, Gurriell said, which is automatically scheduled after receiving the first dose. At that time, a person receives their vaccination record card, which they should bring to their second appointment.

The County of Sussex has received the Moderna vaccine and is expected to receive second doses from the same manufacturer, Gurriell said, which is only intended for individuals ages 18 and up. Gurriell also said second appointments are scheduled no sooner than 28 days after the first shot and no later than six weeks for the second dose.

Sussex County Commissioner Herbert Yardley, who is a member of the MRC and has also volunteered at the Fairgrounds’ vaccination site, said the county is always in need of more

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. For more information or to register, visit: www.sussex.nj.us/MRC.

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