Princeton To Offer Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine In September

PRINCETON, NJ — Beginning Sept. 20, the Princeton Health Department will offer booster doses to those who have had the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for eight months, the department announced.

Princeton Health Department is expected to begin hosting regular booster clinics starting in September. More information on the details of these clinics will be released shortly, the department said in the newsletter.

A third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals is now available in the Garden State, a shot "intended to ensure that [immunocompromised people] have enough protection against COVID because they may not build up the same level of immunity as other people," said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli during a Monday afternoon news conference.

Earlier in August, President Joe Biden announced that booster shots will be available starting Sept. 20. The FDA and the CDC have already authorized the third dose of either Pfizer or Modera COVID-19 vaccines for those who are moderate to severely immunocompromised.

Read more: COVID-19 Booster Shot Authorized For Immunocompromised

The plan is for a booster shot to eventually become available to all adults eight months after their second shot. The booster shot is free and does not require proof of ID or health insurance.

Those in active cancer treatment, those with uncontrolled HIV, organ or stem cell transplant recipients, those taking medications that weaken their immune systems such as chemotherapy or anti-rejection medication after a transplant, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are currently eligible for a third dose. A full list of conditions can be found on the CDC website.

The state is currently determining point-of-distribution locations for the third dose in each county. Third dose mega-sites may also be in the cards, Persichilli added, noting that the state is prepared for a "range of scenarios."

Meanwhile, Mercer County is offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the unvaccinated. Here are the upcoming clinics:

Princeton Health Department Clinic

• Friday, August 27, Hinds Plaza, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., First and second doses, Third doses available for immunocompromised individuals only.

Princeton University Clinics (located in Jadwin Gym)

• Wednesday, September 1, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 8, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 15, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 22, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 29, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Mercer County Pop-Up Clinics

• Thursday, Aug. 26, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Second doses and J&J, Mercer County Park Skating Center, West Windsor
• Friday, Aug. 27, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Trenton Farmers Market, 960 Spruce St., Lawrence. J&J, Moderna and Pfizer

(With reporting from Nicole Rosenthal, Patch Staff)

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