Community Corner

Morris County COVID-19 Vaccination Center Passes 100,000 Doses

The landmark inoculation was given to Susan Henry, a school teacher. The site can now give out 3,500 doses daily.

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The landmark inoculation was given to Susan Henry, a school teacher. The site is now giving out 3,500 doses daily.
The landmark inoculation was given to Susan Henry, a school teacher. The site is now giving out 3,500 doses daily. (Photo courtesy of Russ Crespolini)

ROCKAWAY, NJ - More than 100,000 people have received their COVID-19 vaccinations at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center as of Tuesday, and the landmark dose was given to an educator, officials said.

The 100,000th dose was administered to teacher Susan Henry, a resident of Morris County. She was joined by her husband Paul, another teacher, who was also vaccinated.

“The Morris County mega site has empowered us to provide lifesaving protection to our neighbors, first responders, teachers and essential workers,” Atlantic Health System President Brian Gragnolati said. “I am grateful for the Atlantic Health heroes caring for our communities at the mega site and thankful for our incredible partnership with the county and state.”

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The facility, housed in a former Sears store at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, has delivered nearly half the doses of COVID-19 vaccine distributed in all of Morris County.

“As more vaccine is becoming available to the state of New Jersey, we are inoculating more and more people at our Morris County facility. This 100,000th dose is symbolic in that it comes as the State of New Jersey released data showing nearly 144,000 people have received an initial vaccination in Morris County, and more than 74,000 have received their second dose. We know many people are still patiently waiting, but we are making great strides and we will get to them,” said Morris County Commissioner Douglas Cabana, the board liaison to law and public safety.

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Since opening its doors in early January with a visit by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the mega site has dramatically expanded its capacity from several hundred doses a day and is now able to administer 3,500 daily, seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As one of six mega sites in New Jersey, the Morris County mega site is joined by locations in Gloucester County (Rowan College of South Jersey in Sewell), East Rutherford (The Meadowlands), Edison (New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center), Burlington County (The Moorestown Mall) and Atlantic City (The Atlantic City Convention Center).

To create the mega site, the 30,000 square foot first floor of the former Sears store was converted from shuttered retail space in less than four weeks. To help ensure safety, the building features 16 air purifiers that turn over the air every nine minutes. An estimated 150 county workers, Atlantic Health team members, sheriff’s officers and National Guard are on site to ensure smooth operations.

Here are some recent updates on getting the COVID-19 vaccine in New Jersey.

Who's Eligible

The following people are eligible for vaccinations in New Jersey as of Tuesday:

  • health care workers
  • residents and workers in longterm-care of high-risk congregate care facilities
  • first responders, including sworn law enforcement and fire professionals
  • people 65 or older
  • people ages 16-65 with qualifying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus
  • educators and staff from pre-K through 12th grade
  • childcare workers in licensed and registered settings

Transportation workers, additional public-safety workers and other high-risk individuals will be able to get vaccinated starting March 15.
The following become eligible March 29:

  • Food production, agriculture and food distribution (including grocery store and restaurant workers)
  • Eldercare and support
  • Warehousing and logistics
  • Social services support staff
  • Elections personnel
  • Hospitality
  • Medical supply chain
  • Postal and shipping services
  • Clergy
  • Judicial system

NJ Lagging Behind Its Vaccine Goal

New Jersey received its first shipments last week of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — the first one-dose COVID-19 vaccine distributed in the United States. The one-dose shots could become instrumental in helping New Jersey reach its six-month vaccine goal.
Nearly three months into vaccinations, the Garden State has fallen behind. New Jersey would need to administer 9.4 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to meet its six-month goal. That's about 51,000 per day over a six-month period.

Where to Get Vaccinated

Eligible patients can preregister through the state for an appointment. The process may not immediately give you an appointment date but will put you on a list to alert you when an appointment becomes available.

Here's a map that will show vaccination sites near you.

Those who work or volunteer at select health care facilities can make an appointment through their place of work. Veterans who receive care from Veterans Affairs health facilities or live in VA long-term care facilities may be eligible for vaccines through the VA.

Here are the sites available in Morris County:

Morris County Mega Site

  • Rockaway Townsquare Mall
  • 301 Mount Hope Avenue, Rockaway
  • The website

Chilton Medical Center

ShopRite Pharmacy of Flanders

ShopRite Pharmacy Of Greater Morristown

ShopRite Pharmacy #297

ShopRite Pharmacy #443

RMG Urgent Care Center - Ledgewood

  • 501 Route 10, Ledgewood
  • 973-584-6751

CVS, Chatham

CVS, Ledgewood

CVS, Rockaway

CVS, Dover

CVS, Lincoln Park

CVS, Mendham

CVS, Parsippany

CVS, Ledgewood

Rite Aid, Morristown

Rite Aid, Denville

Rite Aid, Lake Hiawatha

St. Clare's, Denville and Dover

  • no additional info on state website

Summit Medical Group

Zufall Health Center

Acme Pharmacy #1099

Acme Sav-on Pharmacy

Acme Sav-on Pharmacy

Acme Sav-on Pharmacy

Wegmans Pharmacy #128 Parsippany

Weis Pharmacy #234 Flanders

Weis Pharmacy #136

Atlantic Health officials released a video discussing their vaccination work in northern New Jersey:

Tips and Tricks

Patch has gathered tips that may help for securing vaccine appointments and websites with additional information:

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