Ocean County Health Department Urges COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Ocean County Health Department will be marking Boost NJ Day on Wednesday by offering the COVID-19 vaccinations through the Ocean County Connection at the Ocean County Mall.

Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccinations in New Jersey. Since Dec. 24, 2020, the Ocean County Health Department has dispensed nearly 121,100 vaccine doses, the health department said.

The vaccine clinic at the Ocean County Connection — the county government's outreach office — will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to offering the COVID-19 vaccines, residents can get their flu vaccinations.

RWJ Barnabas Health Arena at Toms River High School North also will be offering COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters along with the flu vaccine on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Today, we are still battling one variant — delta — while another, omicron, may pose a new concern for our residents," the health department said in a news release. "Since Thanksgiving, we have seen cases and hospitalizations continue to rise due to the holidays, increased travel and variants. Yet only 34 percent of New Jersey’s over 4.5 million residents eligible for booster shots have received one."

Residents seeking to get vaccinated or seeking boosters can make reservations through the Ocean County Health Department website.

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