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Union County Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach with New Mobile Unit

Union County Commissioners Christopher Hudak, Sergio Granados, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Andrea Staten watch as a senior receives the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
Union County Commissioners Christopher Hudak, Sergio Granados, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Andrea Staten observe as a Linden senior receives the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from Registered Nurse Hanna Krysiak, through the new Union County Mobile Vaccine Unit (credit: David Pilmenstein).

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that the County has received its first shipment of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from the New Jersey Department of Health. The available doses are being distributed to seniors at five locations through the newly launched Union County Mobile Vaccine Unit, and additional sites will be added as soon as more doses become available.

The Union County Mobile Vaccine Unit launched today at a senior residence in Linden. Residences in Hillside, Plainfield, Roselle, and Union Township are also included in the program, accounting for the full shipment received from the state Department of Health. Additional sites will be added to the mobile program once more vaccine is available.

“The new mobile unit enables us to bring vaccines to seniors who would have difficulty traveling to the Kean University site, and the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine enables us to reach more seniors as quickly and efficiently as possible. The new mobile service also helps limit the risk of exposure for people who are most vulnerable to the potentially deadly effects of the virus,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“We believe that all Union County residents should have access to this life-saving vaccine,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who chairs the Commissioner Board’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. “Our Public Safety team has made it a top priority to not only vaccinate all those who want the shot, but in while making sure we target our most vulnerable populations of residents. As more resources become available, we will focus on these communities throughout our County utilizing various initiatives and programs, including our new mobile unit.”

The new mobile unit complements the Union County Vaccine Center at Kean University and the county’s satellite site in Plainfield, through which the Commissioner Board has already administered almost 30,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine to eligible residents.

The Board has also assigned County staff to assist with the federally managed FEMA vaccination site in Elizabeth, which has administered 3,000 doses to date.

Union County residents are reminded that the vaccine supply shortage still persists. Those who already have an appointment for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine are advised to keep their appointment in order to ensure they receive a vaccine as quickly as possible.

All three vaccines are highly effective and are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Residents who would like to make an appointment at the Union County Vaccine Center at Kean University can book an appointment online at ucnjvaccine.org.

Residents are advised to check for updates frequently. Appointments are scheduled only when supplies are available, and they book up quickly.

Seniors and persons who have difficulty accessing the Internet can contact the Union County Vaccine Call Center at 908-613-7829 to check for updates.

In addition to vaccination programs run by Union County, pharmacies and other locations are beginning offer vaccines. For a list of available sites visit the New Jersey vaccine information hub at covid19.nj.gov/pages/covid-19-vaccine.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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