New Jersey's Largest Coronavirus Vaccine Site Opens In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — A “game changer” in New Jersey’s fight against the coronavirus has officially opened its doors in Newark.

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka were among those present for the launch of the “largest mass COVID-19 vaccination site” in the state, located on the campus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) at 56 Lock Street.

The site has the capacity to give up to 6,000 doses per day, seven days per week. It will be open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

NJIT administrators said it's still unknown how long the center will be operational, but they expect that it will run for "at least two to three months."

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be administered for the first six weeks, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be given for the remaining two weeks, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Vaccines will be provided directly from the federal government, above and beyond the state's regular allocations, officials said.

For more information about eligibility or to preregister for a vaccination, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine or call 855-568-0545.

See related article: Coronavirus Vaccines In Essex County (How To Get A Shot)

Newark was among the first cities chosen for a pilot program from FEMA. In addition to creating a federally backed site in the Brick City – the most populated in New Jersey – FEMA also announced locations for new sites in Boston, Massachusetts and Norfolk, Virginia.

The goal is to get more shots into arms in some of the nation's most vulnerable areas, officials said. Locations were chosen based on factors including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "social vulnerability index," U.S. Census data, and input from state and local partners.

The center will be supported by the federal government, in partnership with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the New Jersey Department of Health, Essex County and the City of Newark.

NJIT officials said the center's location – the Naimoli Family Athletic and Recreational Facility – was chosen to minimize its potential impact by keeping foot traffic near the perimeter of the campus.

• See related article: NJIT In Newark Chosen For Federal Coronavirus Vaccine Site

“Essex County needed this center more than almost any county nationwide because this area was one of the hardest-hit by COVID-19,” U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr said.

“During this global pandemic, Essex County had one of the highest COVID-19 infection and death rates in the country,” continued Payne, who represents the state's 10th District. “It could still have a large population of people who are carrying the disease, but don’t show any symptoms for it.”

According to Payne, FEMA selected Essex County because it has a “sizable vulnerable community” and it could serve similar communities in Hudson, Passaic, and Union counties. For this site, the federal government will provide 6,000 doses per day, as well as personnel to run the site for eight weeks.

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