South Jersey 'Mega-Site' Reopens; 2nd Doses Being Scheduled
DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — The COVID-19 vaccine “mega-site” at Rowan College of South Jersey was reopened Tuesday morning, one day after it had none, and it was criticized by state officials for not making second dose appointments for residents during their initial visits.
Gloucester County Commissioner Director Rober Damminger also said the site would accommodate all residents who didn’t have a second appointment.
“As confirmed by the state on Friday, all individuals who have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to January, 29, 2021, will be automatically scheduled for their second dose,” Damminger said on Tuesday morning. “These individuals should expect to receive an email that includes a QR code (matrix barcode) with the date and time of their next appointment.”
Anyone who did not give an email on the date of their first dose will get a text or phone call to schedule their second dose.
"All individuals who receive their vaccine on or after January 30, 2021, will automatically receive a second dose appointment from the state," Damminger said.
The state has advised that appointments will be consistent with the date on the back of the card and all appointments will be held at Gloucester County’s Mega Vaccination Site.
Officials reminded residents that they should get the second shot. Anyone who received a dose of the Pfizer vaccine should get their second dose 21 days after their first one. Anyone who received the Moderna vaccine should get their second dose 28 days after their first one. However, if that is not possible, the CDC says the second dose can be scheduled up to 42 days after the first dose.
All residents were supposed to receive their second dose appointment when they got their first dose. However, over the weekend, county officials issued a statement saying those who already received their first dose didn’t get a second dose appointment because the state scheduling system they were told to use wasn’t working.
The site was using the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS) to schedule all vaccine appointments. Over the weekend, officials said they were going to look into their own scheduling system.
During a news conference Monday afternoon, New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the site didn't have any vaccines and wasn't able to make appointments on Monday, but they were slated to resume on Tuesday.
She also reiterated that they have to schedule a second dose, and she emailed county officials to make sure they understand the protocol. It's not known if any action will be taken. Read more here: Gov. Murphy Urges Patience, Fix For NJ COVID Vaccine Shortage
For their part, officials have said they hope the state will update the scheduling site’s capabilities. The site, which is open to residents from all over the state, is located at 1400 Tanyard Road in Sewell.
They also clarified that no appointments were cancelled, and that the closure on Monday was a planned closure.
"Gloucester County’s Mega Vaccination Site has all of its appointments organized and consistent with the number of vaccines we have. Appointments are never scheduled without the vaccines to accompany them," officials said. "The Gloucester County Mega Vaccination Site has the manpower and capabilities to offer well over 3,000 vaccinations a day, but we cannot operate without the supply of vaccines."
The Gloucester County site is one of six vaccine "mega-sites" statewide. There are also "mega-sites" at the Moorestown Mall, the Atlantic City Convention Center, the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Middlesex County, the Rockaway Townsquare in Morris County and theMeadowlands Racing and Entertainment Complex in East Rutherford.
Anyone can pre-register to get vaccinated, even if they don’t qualify for a vaccine yet, by visiting covidvaccinenj.gov.
See related: No 2nd Dose Appointments Made At COVID-19 ‘Megasite’
With reporting by Carly Baldwin
This article originally appeared on the West Deptford Patch
