Millburn Woman And Others Help Elders Get Covid-19 Vaccines

MILLBURN, NJ — In one of the cruel ironies of the coronavirus pandemic, the demographic that's most vulnerable to the virus — the elderly — doesn't always have the skills or technology to jockey various websites to find an appointment for a vaccine. Some have relied on children or grandchildren to help. Others are starting to get help from local volunteers.

Recently, the lifestyle website PureWow wrote about "millenni-agents" helping older relatives and others get vaccines. The story cited a "Millenni-Agent" named Mary from the Short Hills section of Millburn, who helped her parents get appointments by logging in early each morning.

Mary said, "The registration was the most confusing and overwhelming part for them ... she was getting text confirmations and my dad wasn't. It required a lot of hand-holding."

But she's not the only young person in North Jersey helping snag vaccine appointments for area senior citizens.

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Last week, Taylor Addis, a Westfield teen, started a local group called Gen2Gen Helpers to help get covid-19 vaccine appointments for senior citizens in North Jersey. By this past weekend, more than 200 seniors had reached out, she said. And other area teens have reached out to volunteer.

Addis started the group with her aunt, Michelle Cisneros of Mountainside.

After word got around last week, requests ballooned.

"We currently have close to 200 seniors requesting our assistance," Addis reported Saturday, saying that among them is a person who's 98 years old.

"One senior cried tears of joy when we notified her about her appointment," said Cisneros.

Addis said that besides seniors from Union County, her group has gotten requests from Essex, Morris, Middlesex, Monmouth, Bergen, Mercer and Ocean counties and even one from Cape May — two hours away, at the southern tip of the state. Read more about the group here: North Jersey Teen's New Group Finds Coronavirus Vaccines For Seniors

(Patch continually updates the state's list of public vaccine sites, and certain pharmacies and health networks have set up their own. Here is the most recent Patch list for Essex County.)

Who's eligible

Right now, New Jersey is vaccinating the first two eligible categories, including health care workers, people over 65, and those 16 and over with certain chronic health conditions. But there have been delays due to the weather and other matters.

Thus, many people are waiting. And when new spots suddenly become available, they're gobbled up quickly.

Cisneros said, "Giving back is a great way to fill your cup especially after so much disappointment during the pandemic. It’s been great to see the team work their magic and get the job done."

She added, "This week has been even harder to schedule appointments because of the snow and delay in vaccine shipments (causing cancellations and rescheduling) but we hope spots will open up over the next week or so."

As the vaccine rollout continues around the country, people are still succumbing to the virus. As of Monday morning, more than 500,000 Americans had died of the virus. Just a month ago, the number was 400,000.

How to get help

Here is the link to request assistance from Get2Gen Helpers if you're in the area and eligible for a vaccine: Click here.

Here is the link to sign up to volunteer with the group: Click here.

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