Here’s How Belleville, Nutley Can Get COVID-19 Vaccinations

Eric Kiefer
Updated ·6 min read

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The list of places where Belleville and Nutley residents can get a COVID-19 vaccination has expanded again.

Despite some early stumbling blocks, New Jersey has been ramping up its vaccination rollout. And although the general public isn’t eligible to get one yet, almost 200,000 people throughout the state, including Belleville and Nutley, have gotten their first of their two required shots as of Tuesday. Read More: NJ Expands COVID-19 Vaccines As State Begins Move Into Next Phase

Here’s what you need to know as a local resident.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

New Jersey is rolling out its vaccines in phases. An exact timeline hasn’t been made available.

Vaccination is voluntary; nobody is required to get a shot.

As of Jan. 12, New Jersey is in the early stages of Phase 1B, clearing the way for frontline health care workers, police and firefighters to get one (see below).

  • In Phase 1A, only frontline health care workers in close contact with the virus were cleared to get a vaccination. Certain vulnerable populations such as nursing home residents and prison inmates were also able to get a shot.

  • In the first part of Phase 1B, police and firefighters were cleared to get their shots. When the second part of Phase 1B kicks in, other essential employees such as teachers, food service workers and truckers, as well as people over 75-years-old, will be eligible to get a vaccination.

  • In Phase 1C, the list will expand to other essential employees who work in “overcrowded settings” such as colleges, adults 65 to 74, and people aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19.

  • In Phase 2 of the rollout, anyone in the general public will be able to get a vaccination.

However, New Jersey may be about to take a detour from its distribution plan.

On Wednesday, Murphy announced that two new categories of people qualify for a COVID-19 vaccination in New Jersey: people over the age of 65, and between the ages 16-64 with medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus. Read More: Gov. Murphy To Expand COVID Vaccine To NJ Seniors 65 And Older

Learn more about the state’s plan for distributing the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations here.

WHERE CAN I GET VACCINATED?

There are several locations where eligible Belleville and Nutley residents can get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Essex County has plans to create five vaccination sites in Livingston, Newark, West Caldwell and West Orange.

Residents of Belleville can only go to the site in Livingston, which is located at the former Sears in the Livingston Mall, 112 Eisenhower Parkway.

Residents of Nutley can only go to the site in West Orange, which is located at the former Kmart building at 235 Prospect Avenue.

Here’s how it works, county officials say:

"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."

Here’s what to expect, county officials say:

"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."

New Jersey has also cleared the way for other vaccination sites across the state, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, ShopRite supermarkets and doctor's offices. People can visit COVIDvaccine.nj.gov to preregister.

The list includes:

Belleville

  • Riverside Medical Group, 195 Cortlandt St., (973) 759-1221

Bloomfield

  • Riverside Urgent Care , 135 Bloomfield Ave., (973) 748-7459

Livingston

  • ShopRite Pharmacy, 483 South Livingston Ave., (973) 992-6854

Newark

Verona

TAKING A TOUR

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.

Since then, several other local health care workers and emergency responders have reported that they got their shots.

Officials have been sharing photos from the five Essex County 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.

On Jan. 11, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. reported that 1,090 shots were given at four of the county’s vaccination centers. It brought the county’s 11-day total up to 11,036 innoculations.

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

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.

This article originally appeared on the Belleville-Nutley Patch