Updated Information As Essex County COVID Vaccine Sites Announced

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Updated information has been released now that the first wave of COVID-19 vaccines has officially begun in Essex County. New vaccine sites have also been announced.

The state has released the list that shows, in order, when everybody in New Jersey can get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here's what you should know. Read more: When Can You Get COVID-19 Vaccine In NJ? Here's The New 2021 List.

And while the general public isn’t eligible to get the first of the two necessary shots yet, there are a range of frontline health care workers who can – and have already gotten theirs.

Here’s what you need to know about getting a vaccine in Essex County.

WHERE CAN I GET A COVID-19 VACCINE?

There are five, county-run vaccination sites that will serve Essex County. Residents can only attend the site that is designated for their town or city, with the exception of Newark residents, who can attend any of the five sites.

The centers are located in Livingston, Newark, West Caldwell and West Orange.

LIVINGSTON

• Where - Livingston Mall, former Sears building, 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston (Entrance is in the back).
• Towns Served - Livingston, Belleville, Maplewood, Millburn, Newark, Orange and South Orange

NEWARK - ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE

• Where - Essex County College, 303 University Avenue, Newark (Gym entrance on West Market Street)
• Towns Served - Newark, East Orange and Irvington

NEWARK - DONALD PAYNE SCHOOL

• Where - Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology, 498-544 West Market Street, Newark (this site will be set up at a later date)
• Towns Served - Newark, East Orange and Irvington

WEST CALDWELL

• Where - Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology, 620 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell
• Towns Served - West Caldwell, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Newark, North Caldwell and Roseland

WEST ORANGE

• Where - Former Kmart building, 235 Prospect Avenue, West Orange
• Towns Served - West Orange, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Montclair, Newark, Nutley and Verona

Essex County residents may also eventually be able to get their shots at one of the COVID-19 vaccination sites planned to pop up across the state soon – including at Federally Qualified Health Centers, local ShopRite locations or doctor's offices.

In all, there will be more than 200 community COVID vaccine sites across New Jersey. State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli announced Monday that 134 of those sites will be getting the vaccine this week. READ MORE: Here's Who May Get COVID Vaccine Next, And Where, In NJ

See the full list below.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Limited doses of the vaccine will be available at first.

According to the protocol laid out by the state:

• Phase 1A includes paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials as well as residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
• Phase 1B of vaccination will include frontline essential workers and people over 75. (Frontline essential workers include grocery store workers, delivery drivers and truckers.)
• Phase 1C will include other essential workers, adults 65-74, and persons aged 16-64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19.

The general public will be eligible for vaccination in Phase 2 of the plan.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR MY SHOTS?

According to Essex County officials, here’s how the process works:

“When vaccinations are available, the sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can make appointments at www.EssexCOVID.org or by calling 973-877-8456. Appointments only can be made after the county receives the vaccines. Vaccinations will be given in two doses. Residents making reservations to receive the vaccination will receive two appointments. It is critical that residents attend both appointments. Residents will be asked to provide their medical insurance information and their insurance provider will be billed $16.94 for the first dose and $28.39 for the second dose. If a resident does not have insurance, the cost of the vaccine will be covered by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Provide Relief Fund. There will be no out-of-pocket expenses charged to residents."

County officials continued:

"Each vaccination site is set up in a similar fashion. Residents entering the site will first be pre-screened to verify they have an appointment. Those who do not have an appointment will not be allowed to receive the vaccine that day. Residents will then proceed to a registration table where they will be provided with their paperwork for their visit and receive a card to remind them about their second appointment. After being inoculated with the vaccine, residents will be required to wait 15 minutes while they are monitored for any side effects. Social distancing guidelines will be followed at every site and areas will be sanitized on a regular basis throughout the day."

WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GET A VACCINATION?

The first COVID-19 vaccinations in New Jersey were given to workers at University Hospital in Newark, with cameras rolling and Gov. Phil Murphy in attendance.

• See related article: First COVID-19 Vaccines In NJ Bring Hope To Newark Hospital
• See related article: Meet 5 Newark Hospital Workers Who Got Historic Vaccinations

Since then, other health care workers and essential employees have also reported that they got their shots. Seen online:

• “I got mine Saturday … fantastic! Clean, efficient and convenient. I’m so thankful!”
• “I was there today. They did a wonderful job. You should all be so proud. It was efficient, organized, friendly and I left feeling amazing. Thank you all.”

Essex County officials have been sharing photos from the five vaccination sites, which are being run by health care professionals and bolstered by volunteers, who are eligible to get a vaccination from the virus in return.

• See related article: Saint Barnabas Will Oversee COVID Vaccinations At Livingston Mall
• See related article: Essex County Calls For Volunteers At Coronavirus Vaccine Clinics

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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