Community Corner
Take Two For Vaccines At Zoo: Coronavirus Shots At Turtle Back
People getting their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the event will also get free admission to the zoo, Essex County officials said.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s take two for vaccines at the zoo.
Essex County will hold a pop-up coronavirus vaccine clinic at the Turtle Back Zoo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. The zoo is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.
Here are the details, according to a county news release:
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“Visitors are eligible to receive a voucher if they are receiving their first dose of the vaccine. The voucher can be used through September 1, 2021. No appointment is necessary. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines will be administered. People ages 18 and older are eligible to receive the J&J vaccine. People ages 12 and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Visitors returning to receive their second dose of the vaccine are not eligible to receive free admission. There isn't any out of pocket costs to receive the vaccine. However, if someone does have medical insurance, Essex County is allowed to bill the insurance carrier a $40 fee for each dose of the vaccine. If a visitor does not have medical insurance, the cost of the vaccine will be covered by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Provider Relief Fund.”
The county previously held a pop-up vaccine clinic at the zoo on June 5; a total of 73 vaccines were administered.
- See related article: Join The 'Herd' At Turtle Back Zoo COVID Vaccine Clinic
“Significant progress has been made to get the public vaccinated for COVID-19,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “However more work must be done to get at least 70 percent of the population vaccinated so herd immunity can occur.”
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“Turtle Back Zoo is a popular family destination and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect our loved ones from contracting the virus,” he added.
Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com
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