Update: Lakewood Center Halts COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-In Shots

Updated, 3:30 p.m.

LAKEWOOD, NJ — CHEMED Health Center in Lakewood has halted its acceptance of walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccinations after it was overwhelmed by people trying to get the shot.

The health care facility in Lakewood posted a notice on its website Tuesday afternoon saying it was no longer accepting walk-ins.

On Monday, information circulated that center on Madison Avenue would be offering the vaccine to Ocean County residents who are 64 or older, with no need for appointments. That led to long lines on Tuesdaythat started early in the day, according to a report by News 12 New Jersey.

CHEMED initially said it would offer the walk-in option Tuesday and Wednesday, but it was not immediately clear whether it would be offered Wednesday after Tuesday's response.

The announcement on CHEMED's telephone line, which early in the day talked about the walk-ins, had been changed by 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The no-appointments-needed distribution came as many of Ocean County's older residents have struggled for weeks to find appointments or to find someone to help them register.

Gov. Phil Murphy and state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli have spoken about getting residents of long-term care facilities vaccinated, which has been happening through a program with CVS and Walgreens.

But in Ocean County, many older residents live in their own homes in age-restricted communities and limit their travel, which has made finding vaccination appointments a persistent source of frustration.

Chemed said further updates are available on a recorded message by calling 732-523-7955.

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