Union County Vaccinates First Child Under 12 Against COVID-19

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Otto Shubin became the first child between the ages of 5 and 11 to be vaccinated against the coronavirus in Union County.

The County of Union Vaccination Team vaccinated Shubin on Thursday following the recent approval by the FDA. Union County offers vaccinations at both their permanent and mobile operations traveling around Union County.

As of Friday, 368,375 Union County residents are fully vaccinated out of 575,345 or roughly 66 percent.

"The approval for ages 5-11 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step forward in our efforts to ensure that all Union County residents are protected against this lethal virus. We strongly encourage vaccination for everyone age five and up," said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5-11 will be available free of charge through the Union County COVID-9 clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. The Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 and up will also be available at this clinic.

Adults and children ages 12 and up in need of vaccinations, including booster shots, can continue to use the Union County COVID-19 clinic located at Downs Hall at the Kean University campus, at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

Union County’s mobile vaccination clinic will also continue to provide vaccinations to adults and children ages 12 and up.

Any age-eligible Union County can make an appointment at any of these clinics, regardless of their hometown:

• Roselle: Sunday, November 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Heard AME Church, 310 East Eighth Avenue.
• Roselle Park: Wednesday, November 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Casano Community Center, 314 Chestnut Street.
• Union Township: Wednesday, November 10, 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. at Union Senior Center, 968 Bonnel Court.
• Plainfield: Saturday, November 13, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Avenue.
• Union Township: Saturday, November 20, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue.
• Plainfield: Sunday, November 21, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Gerald B. Green Plaza, 200 West Second Street.
• Union Township: Saturday, December 4, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue.
• Union Township: Saturday, December 18, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue.
• Plainfield: Sunday, December 19, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Gerald B. Green Plaza, 200 West Second Street)

To make an appointment at the Warinanco Sports Center, Downs Hall, or any of the mobile clinic locations, visit ucnj.org/vax to set up an account and book an appointment online.

The Union County COVID-19 Call Center is available to offer additional assistance by phone during regular business hours at 908-613-7829.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the above age group on Tuesday. Some vaccine providers, including CVS and Walgreens, already have online appointments open to 5 to 11-year-olds in New Jersey. Read More: COVID Vaccine For Kids Under 12 (Where To Get One In NJ)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.