Toms River ShopRite Pharmacy To Give COVID-19 Vaccinations

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The pharmacy at the ShopRite of Fischer Boulevard will be among 39 ShopRites in New Jersey that will provide vaccinations for the COVID-19 virus, the grocery store chain announced Monday.

ShopRite announced just before Christmas that it had joined the federal Pharmacy Partnership Strategy for COVID-19 Vaccination Program operated by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control, which is providing vaccines through pharmacies across the country.

The Fischer Boulevard store is one of two in Ocean County offering the vaccinations. The other is the ShopRite of Manahawkin.

"We are excited to be part of the initial stages of this unprecedented public health campaign as we begin vaccinating healthcare workers who are on the front lines in the COVID-19 pandemic," said Jeffrey Mondelli, vice president of Pharmacy, Health & Beauty at Wakefern Food Corp.

Mondelli said the store locations were chosen in coordination with the New Jersey State Department of Health.

"We stand ready to serve and will continue to provide increased access to this life-saving vaccine as new expanded eligibility guidelines are released by the CDC," Mondelli said.

The vaccinations are being distributed according to the schedule set by the CDC, with health care workers who have not been able to receive them through hospitals getting priority now.

For those eligible, vaccinations are available by appointment only, while supplies last.

For more information on eligibility or to make an appointment, visit vaccines.shoprite.com or download the ShopRite Pharmacy mobile app and use the online scheduler. Due to demand, appointment availability may be limited. There is no charge for the vaccinations.

Currently, vaccines are not available for the general public. However, ShopRite anticipates expanding access to the vaccine as soon as the government enters the next phase of the vaccine’s distribution, the company said.

As part of its partnership with the federal government, ShopRite pharmacies have received an initial shipment of the Moderna vaccine, which requires two inoculations. Those who have specific questions or concerns about the vaccine should consult with their physician or healthcare provider.

The Ocean County Health Department also has started to provide vaccinations at the RWJ Barnabas Arena at Toms River High School North. Those are following the same federal schedule, administering them to health care workers first. Read more: Updated Information As Ocean County COVID Vaccine Rollout Begins

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