Somerset County Shifts to Once-Weekly COVID Vaccination Clinic at Senior Wellness Center
With State-Leading Vaccination and Booster Rates, County is Rededicating COVID Resources While Ready to Ramp Up Should the Need Arise
Post Date: 03/03/2022 2:46 PM
With State-Leading Vaccination and Booster Rates, County is Rededicating COVID Resources While Ready to Ramp Up Should the Need Arise
SOMERVILLE, NJ – Following the highly successful COVID vaccination campaign during the Delta and Omicron surges, Somerset County is now reducing the number of clinics held each week in recognition of reduced demand. Because the Senior Wellness Center in Bridgewater had opened for in-person services again starting this week, Friday’s clinic at the location has been postponed and will be operating on Wednesdays only beginning the week of March 7, 2022.
“I can’t stress how important it continues to be for everyone to follow CDC recommendations and get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and their loved ones from serious cases of COVID-19,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “Anyone who wants to be vaccinated can come to our Wednesday clinic or a mobile clinic, and if there is a need we are ready to ramp up to quickly provide more clinics.”
Somerset County has worked hard since December 2020 to be sure that every resident who wants to be vaccinated has access to vaccine no matter their hometown or personal circumstance both at its own clinics and with municipal and private partners. This comprehensive, coordinated effort has resulted in 76.5 percent of Somerset County residents being vaccinated and 59 percent boosted, the highest rates for both in the state.
“When there was great demand for COVID vaccinations and testing during Omicron we were ready to accommodate it at our clinics and with our partners, but now there is less demand and we are moving to once-a-week clinics supplemented by mobile clinics when requested,” said Commissioner Doug Singleterry, liaison to the Department of Health. “We’ve learned so much about how to rapidly and effectively distribute vaccine to the public over the past year, and while we are hopeful we will not need to do so, our fantastic Department of Health is ready to expand its vaccination clinics quickly.”
Somerset County’s has also suspended the twice-weekly COVID testing clinics in recognition of the wide availability of testing kits from the state and federal governments, and from local medical providers. Residents can continue to request free tests be mailed to their homes from the state at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/ and from the federal government at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/. A full listing of local testing clinics can be found at http://soconj.gov/COVIDtest.
The Somerset County’s Department of Health’s innovative community outreach and clinics over the past year includes:
- December 2020 – Somerset County receives first doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine and begins vaccinating health care workers and first responders
- January 2021 – Drive thru clinics for first responders, health care workers, and older residents with underlying conditions at Raritan Valley Community College
- February 2021 – Partnering with FEMA to address racial disparities with a mega-clinic at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Franklin
- February 2021 – Developing a Senior Citizen Waiting List to ensure appointments were available for older residents
- April 2021 – Upon federal approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, began vaccinating the homebound in their residences
- May 2021 – Somerset County expanded its drive-thru clinic to include Rutgers Plaza in Franklin, and held as many as eight pop-up clinics each week in underserved communities such as Bound Brook, Manville, North Plainfield, and Somerville
- June 2021 – Began partnering with schools to vaccinate students 12 and older
- July 2021 – Somerset County surpasses 71% vaccination of all residents 12 and older
- August/September 2021 – Expanded both testing and vaccination partnership with schools to make in-person education safer and less stressful. In-school closed clinics continue through 2022.
- October 2021 – Booster shots become available at all Somerset County clinics as recommended by the CDC
- November 2021 – Somerset County sets up weekly Friday clinics for 5-11 years olds to help shorten lines and ease the stress of vaccination for the children
- December 2021 – Somerset County launched the “Give Your Holidays a Boost” campaign to expand the percentage of vaccinated and boosted residents
- January 2022 – In recognition of the effectiveness of booster doses against serious illness from Omicron, Somerset County pushes booster vaccinations at all its clinics leading to a state leading 59% booster rate
- February 2022 – With the reduced threat of Omicron, Somerset County opens five Senior Wellness Centers for in-person services and meals, and reduces the number of weekly vaccination clinics due to lowered demand
Help protect your family and reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus in your community by getting vaccinated with an approved vaccine and practicing everyday healthy habits. The following interventions may also help stop the spread of coronaviruses and other respiratory diseases:
- Wear a well-fitted mask if over two-years of age and not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, and for all residents in locations where there may be a high rate of transmission
- Maintain distance from others – at least two arm’s length apart
- Avoid crowds
- Wash hands frequently with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Monitor health daily and stay home when sick, and
- Stay up to date with vaccines
Since information on COVID-19 is being regularly updated, it is important to stay informed through reliable resources. Follow public health experts such as the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov, the New Jersey Department of Health at http://www.nj.gov/health and the Somerset County Department of Health at http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.
The Somerset County Department of Health (SCDOH) is the lead agency for public health emergency preparedness and response in Somerset County. Funding for these activities is provided by the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement through the New Jersey Department of Health.