Princeton COVID Vaccine Clinics 'Placed On Hold Temporarily'

PRINCETON, NJ — Beginning Feb. 13 the COVID-19 vaccine clinics run by Princeton Health Department will be put on hold due to statewide shortage of vaccines, Mayor Mark Freda announced.

The township has also stopped adding more people to the Princeton vaccine waitlists.

“The State has informed Mercer County municipalities that during the current vaccine shortage, it will no longer supply vaccines to municipally-run clinics," Freda said in his newsletter.

"Therefore, due to the current vaccine shortage, the clinics held by Princeton Health Department and other municipal health departments in Mercer County, will be placed on a temporary hold.”

The mayor said that once vaccine supply increases to meet the demand, the township is prepared to schedule further “local clinics to help serve those residents who face challenges in receiving care at the larger regional sites.”

However, the county-run vaccine clinics remain operational. Mercer has two COVID-19 vaccine sites – one at the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) and the other in partnership with Capital Health Systems at the CURE arena.

Freda said Princeton will be “assisting the county” at the two vaccine sites.

Appointments are required at both sites through the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System.

What Happens To The Waitlist?

Meanwhile, the existing waiting list in Princeton will be maintained by local health departments in Mercer County. The waitlist will be used to identify people for county-level vaccine clinics.

Eligible residents who have already pre-registered with the municipality will continue to be offered appointments when they are available. Those residents will be scheduled into the available slots at one of the two county-facilitated vaccination sites - MCCC or the Cure Arena.

Residents on the Princeton waitlist should expect that it may take weeks or more to vaccinate everyone currently on the waitlist.

Freda reminded residents that the current wait lists may prioritize the oldest residents and those unable to navigate larger venues.

“Those residents who are able to travel to other sites throughout the state are recommended to check the list of vaccine sites throughout the state and reach out to those with their own portals to register for an appointment,” he said.

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