Third COVID Shots Offered In Union County As Delta Spreads

UNION COUNTY, NJ — As the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreads swiftly, some hospitals in the United States say they're running out of beds. In New Jersey, Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said this past week that area doctors are concerned about the rising rate of pediatric hospitalizations from COVID-19. READ MORE: Rise In Child COVID Hospitalizations Prompts Vaccination Plea

On Saturday, the County of Union announced that it would begin offering third shots this weekend to immunocompromised residents. Under new guidelines issued by the New Jersey Department of Health, residents who are already vaccinated against COVID-19 with either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine can receive a third shot if they are in an immunosuppressed category. (Read more about eligibility on Patch here.)

The COVID vaccine is still 95 percent effective against the virus, according to medical professionals, and while vaccinated people may have "breakthrough cases," there is a lower chance of hospitalization or death.

This week, Union County, as well as the rest of Central and North Jersey, showed "moderate" COVID activity, according to New Jersey's latest weekly report. The determination is based on metrics such as case rate, positivity rate and prevalence of COVID-like illnesses.

Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle this week cited state statistics saying that between July 20-26, of 378 coronavirus patients admitted to the state’s hospitals, 97 percent were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. And of the state’s 21 coronavirus deaths in that time, all were either of unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated people.

As of Friday, there had been a total of 62,264 cases confirmed in Union County since the start of the pandemic, and 1,765 confirmed deaths, according to the state, with one death since the day before. These numbers will be compared with next Friday's numbers during the next weekly roundup.

More than 617,000 Americans have now died from COVID (see which states have the highest recent death rates here), a 10,000 increase from two weeks ago. Most of those hospitalized with the virus are unvaccinated, say officials at the hospitals.

Union County has two vaccination sites: at the Thomas Dunn Sports Center in Elizabeth and Downs Hall at Kean University in Union. To learn more about the sites click here.

Union County also has multiple mobile pop-up vaccination sites coming up including:

• Saturday, Aug. 14 – Union 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Held during the County’s Food Distribution Event) KEAN University in Union 1000 Morris Avenue J & J / Pfizer Vaccines Available
• Saturday, Aug. 14 – Elizabeth, noon to 2 p.m.: Church Without Walls event at Steele Memorial Church504 Court StreetJ & J / Pfizer Vaccines offered | Covid testing available
• Friday, Aug. 20 – Hillside 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. AAK Food Services/Gargiulo Produce 535 Sweetland Ave., J & J / Pfizer Vaccines offered | Covid testing available
• Friday, Aug. 20 – Plainfield 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Madison Avenue Skate Park. Partnership with United Way. 301-23 West 2nd Street, J & J / Pfizer Vaccines offered | Covid testing available
• Tuesday, Aug. 24 – Plainfield 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Held during the County’s Food Distribution Event Gerald B. Green Plaza in Plainfield 200 West Second St. J & J / Pfizer Vaccines Available
• Tuesday, Aug. 24 – Scotch Plains, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Scotch Plains High School 667 Westfield Road J & J / Pfizer Vaccines Available
• Saturday, Aug. 28 – Roselle 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Held during the County’s Food Distribution Event, Warinanco Park in Roselle Warinanco Park Roadway J & J / Pfizer Vaccines Available

School Information

Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy mandated masks for the new school year, which for some districts starts later this month. Summit, for instance, starts school on Aug. 30. Children under 12 still cannot receive the COVID vaccine.

This past Monday, 13 children were in New Jersey hospitals with COVID-19, including two in the intensive care unit, said Persichilli. READ MORE: NJ Hospital Preps For COVID Surge As Kids Set To Return To School

READ MORE:

• COVID Hospitalizations Spike In NJ As Delta Variant Spreads
• Mayor: Westfield Had One Coronavirus Death In July

Other Local Vaccine And Virus Information

• A recent study showed that 98 percent to 99 percent of recent COVID deaths in America were unvaccinated people. There also may be long-term symptoms for survivors.
• NJ Mom Urges: Please Listen to COVID 'Long-Haulers'
• Here is information on vaccine side effects, including rare but severe effects.
• 4 Things To Know About The Delta Variant Of Coronavirus In NJ
• New Jersey Town Says: Get Vaccinated Or No Spaghetti For You

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