2,000 Vaccinated So Far Through Ocean County COVID-19 Clinic

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Ocean County health officials have vaccinated more than 2,000 people with the COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination clinic at the RWJ Barnabas Healthcare Arena at Toms River High School North.

But county officials say they could vaccinate as many as 2,000 people per day if they had sufficient supplies of the vaccine.

"We are off to a fast start as expected and the process has been smooth, efficient and safe," said Daniel Regenye, the public health coordinator for the Ocean County Health Department. Over the first eight days of the clinic, operated in cooperation with the Toms River Regional School District, there have been more than 2,000 people who have received the first round of shots of the Moderna vaccine.

The clinic is vaccinating those who do not work for hospitals, long-term care facilities or other health care facilities that are vaccinating their staff.

"We have the capacity to vaccinate 1,500 to 2,000 people a day if we had the additional doses," Regenye said.

The state is in Phase 1A of the distribution process which includes health care personnel serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. There are 650,000 people statewide who are eligible Phase 1A workers. Regenye said Gov. Phil Murphy recently expanded Phase 1A to include

State officials on Wednesday said nearly 138,000 people had received the first doses.

It may still be several weeks before there is a change to Phase 1B. Decisions about priority groups and how the doses will be spread across the state may change based on changes in vaccine supply and public demand. These are the phases of the NJ Vaccine Distribution Plan:

• Phase 1B of vaccination will include teachers, frontline essential workers and individuals over 75.
• Phase 1C will include other essential workers, adults 65-74, and persons aged 18-64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19.
• Following these phases, the general public (Phase 2) will be eligible for vaccination.

"We are aware that there is some misinformation out there and the messaging can be a little confusing and overwhelming for people to process," said Gerry Little, deputy director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and liaison to the county Board of Health. "That’s why we are urging everyone to visit the OCHD website and the OCHD social media platforms for the latest reliable news and updates regarding phase changes and clinic information."

Toms River school district officials said they are happy to be part of the effort.

"We have this tremendous asset at our disposal with RWJBarnabas Health Arena, and it’s our responsibility to use it for the public good when needed," said Thomas Gialenella, the interim superintendent of the Toms River Schools.

"We’ve provided the space, and OCHD is leading the effort with their knowledge, resources, and medical capacity," Assistant Superintendent James Ricotta said. "Our nurses have been in constant communication with OCHD — after hours, on weekends, and even over the holidays — to ensure this operation is as seamless and safe as possible."

Officials said the county will add additional clinics once more vaccine becomes available.

Regenye urged people to stay patient and to keep following safety measures including wearing masks and social distancing.

"We’ve come so far in this pandemic, and while we are now seeing more light at the end of the tunnel with the new vaccine, we just can’t dismiss this second wave and allow it to overwhelm our health care system that’s already been stretched so far and thin," he said.

The clinic is providing shots six days a week, by appointment only, for those eligible under Phase 1A.

New Jersey opened its first mega vaccination site on Friday, at Rockaway Townsquare mall in Morris County. Five other sites are planned:

• Atlantic County: Atlantic City Convention Center
• Bergen County: Racetrack at Meadowlands, East Rutherford
• Burlington County: Moorestown Mall
• Gloucester County: Rowan College of South Jersey, Sewell
• Middlesex County: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Edison

The state has a site to register for an appointment at one of the six mega-sites.

More information is available on the Ocean County Health Department website, and general information is available by calling 732-341-9700, ext. 7411.

This article has been updated to clarify that the Ocean County Health Department is vaccinating health care workers who are not receiving the shots through a hospital or other health care facility.

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