NJ's COVID-19 Vaccine 'Mega-Site' Opens In South Jersey

DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Dr. Josette Palmer, a family physician in Glassboro, was one of the first people who was vaccinated when the second COVID-19 vaccine “mega-site” in New Jersey opened Monday morning.

The site opened at Rowan College of South Jersey, 1400 Tanyard Road in Sewell. It is one of six vaccination centers that will provide vaccinations for anyone in New Jersey, regardless of where they live. The first “megasite” opened in Morris County last week. There will be about 300 centers that will provide the vaccine set up in regions statewide.

“As a medical practitioner who opened her own practice five years ago, I know how important vaccines are in the prevention of disease,” Palmer said during a news conference with Gov. Phil Murphy and State Sen. President Steve Sweeney. “Unfortunately, as an African American, I also know how fearful my people are of getting the vaccine. The concerns with modern medicine have dated back years, going to the early 1900s with the Tuskegee Experiment. Even though there’s reluctance, I find it every important to be able to take part in this program. I’m excited to protect my patients, to protect my staff, my family and myself.”

Murphy thanked her for her comments on the importance of getting the vaccine for people of all races, and noted that as of Monday morning, more than 209,000 New Jersey residents had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Here are some things to know about the vaccination center in Gloucester County:

Currently in New Jersey, the following groups are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination:

• all members of Group 1A, which includes health-care workers and direct care givers and residents in longterm-care facilities
• police and fire professionals — the only members of Group 1B who can get vaccinated as of Friday

How many people can get vaccinated there?
The center currently gets 1,000 doses for the week. It will serve about 2,400 people per day, every day once New Jersey has enough vaccines to meet that goal. But it's not immediately clear when that will be.

What's the facility like?
Officials took a tour of the facility on Monday. Watch the tour below:

What geographic area does the site cover?
While the vaccination center is in Gloucester County, people who live and work in the surrounding area can also use it. Here's where New Jersey will put its other vaccine "mega sites":

• The Rockaway Townsquare Mall in Morris County;
• The Meadowlands Complex in East Rutherford, Bergen County;
• The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, Middlesex County;
• The Moorestown Mall in Moorestown, Burlington County; and
• The Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic County.

How do you pre-register?
Even if you're not eligible to receive a COVID-19 yet, New Jerseyans can pre-register online. More than 1 million New Jersey residents have already pre-registered. However, Gloucester County said last week that public registration for this site has not yet opened.

Don't just show up.
No one will be allowed to walk into the Gloucester County facility without authorization, and people who show up unannounced won't get vaccinated. Vaccination hours are by appointment for now and will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.