Special Needs Residents Find Comfort At Moorestown Mall Mega-Site

MOORESTOWN, NJ — On Feb. 26, Victoria McGrath accompanied her 22-year-old son to New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination mega-site at the Moorestown Mall, so he could get his second-dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

The trip could have been nerve-wracking because Noah has Down syndrome and is afraid of needles. However, the site — which is run by Virtua Health — is prepared for situations such as this, with special sensory rooms set up for those with special needs, health officials said.

“In addition to creating a special space, the staff engaged us, explained every step in the process, and treated us with respect. That meant a lot,” McGrath said. “I went on Facebook to let other parents know how well-run the mega-site is, and I saw that another mom had beat me to it. Her experience was just as good as ours.”

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The rooms were created on the premise that after being at home with limited in-person interaction, a visit to a crowded, unfamiliar place could be overwhelming, health officials said.
Most days, more than 3,000 shots are administered at the site, exceeding the state’s initial goal of more than 2,400 doses a day, officials said.

The rooms are designed to ensure a stress-free experience for anyone with autism, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions, as well as the people who care for them, according to health officials.

“Just as we have wheelchairs available for those with physical limitations, we felt it important to create a welcoming environment that considers the needs of individuals who are easily overstimulated by bright, busy spaces,” Virtua Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Phyllis Worrell said.

The rooms are set apart from the general vaccination observation area, but are easily accessible for those who need them, officials said. Virtua staff, including team members from Virtua’s pediatric rehabilitation services unit, designed the space to be soothing and free of unwanted stimuli.

Organizers painted the walls a muted shade of maroon and reduced the overhead lighting. A range of soft seating options is available, from beanbag chairs to low-to-the-ground “gaming” chairs.

“So far, the sensory rooms have been well-received by vaccine recipients and their families. I applaud the mega-site organizers for being broad-minded in their vision and recognizing that different people experience the world in different ways,” Virtua Rehabilitation Services Director Maria Emerson said.

Virtua also created a resource page on its website to provide guidance to guests with special needs. This includes a “picture schedule” that caregivers can review with the vaccine recipient to help establish who they will see and what they will experience at their appointment.

Those who are staffed at the mega-site in the former Lord & Taylor store at the Moorestown Mall are also trained on how to support those with special needs, ranging from hearing and visual impairments to cognitive challenges, officials said.

“We know people with the same diagnosis can be remarkably different from one another. For that reason, we encourage the families of our guests with special needs to help prepare their loved one for their vaccine visit. We also invite them to make the onsite team aware of any assistance they may require; our staff will be glad to help however we can,” Worrell said.

The Burlington County Mega-Site is a partnership among the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey All-Hazards Incident Management Team, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, Burlington County, the New Jersey National Guard, and Virtua Health.

Vaccinations at the site are by appointment only; walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Those without confirmed appointments from this specific site will not be granted access.

Residents can register online at virtua.org/vaccine to receive an email or text notification as appointments are available.