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Union County Launches Free COVID-19 Vaccination Program for Children Ages 5-11

covid19Free COVID-19 vaccines are now available to all Union County residents age five and up.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that all residents, from age five on up, are now eligible to receive a vaccine against the COVID-19 virus. Union County has added the 5-11 age group to its ongoing free vaccination program.

“The approval for ages 5-11 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step forward in our efforts to ensure that all Union County residents are protected against this lethal virus. We strongly encourage vaccination for everyone age five and up,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“The Commissioner Board is committed to empowering Union County residents by making vaccinations and boosters available as soon as the necessary federal approvals are announced. The eligibility of the 5-11 age group is welcome news for parents with younger children,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is Chair of the Commissioner Board’s Public Safety Committee.

The Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5-11 will be available free of charge through the Union County COVID-9 clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. The Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 and up will also be available at this clinic.

Adults and children ages 12 and up in need of vaccinations, including booster shots, can continue to use the Union County COVID-19 clinic located at Downs Hall at the Kean University campus, at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

Union County’s mobile vaccination clinic will also continue to provide vaccinations to adults and children ages 12 and up.

To make an appointment at the Warinanco Sports Center, Downs Hall, or any of the mobile clinic locations, visit ucnj.org/vax to set up an account and book an appointment online.

The Union County COVID-19 Call Center is available to offer additional assistance by phone during regular business hours, at 908-613-7829.

The mobile clinic for ages 12 and up will be visiting the following locations in the coming weeks. Please note that any age-eligible Union County can make an appointment at any of these clinics, regardless of their home town:

  • Roselle: Sunday, November 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Heard AME Church, 310 East Eighth Avenue.
  • Roselle Park: Wednesday, November 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Casano Community Center, 314 Chestnut Street.
  • Union Township: Wednesday, November 10, 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. at Union Senior Center, 968 Bonnel Court.
  • Plainfield: Saturday, November 13, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Avenue.
  • Union Township: Saturday, November 20, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue.
  • Plainfield: Sunday, November 21, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Gerald B. Green Plaza, 200 West Second Street.
  • Union Township: Saturday, December 4, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue.
  • Union Township: Saturday, December 18, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue.
  • Plainfield: Sunday, December 19, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in conjunction with COVID-19 emergency food distribution event at Gerald B. Green Plaza, 200 West Second Street)

Union County residents can visit any one of the mobile vaccination sites to receive a free COVID-19 test. Free COVID-19 tests are also available at the Kean University campus in Union Township and Gerald B. Green Plaza in Plainfield. For more information visit ucnj.org/covid19/covid-19-testing-options.

Residents who are not yet vaccinated are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The COVID-19 virus and its variants are still actively circulating throughout New Jersey and elsewhere.

Vaccination has proven to significantly reduce the risk of death from COVID-19, as well as reducing the risk of permanent, long term health impacts and avoiding the financial consequences of hospitalization and follow-up care.

Unvaccinated residents can get their free COVID-19 shots by setting up an account at ucnj.org/covid19/vax and making an appointment.

At the present time, Union County’s free vaccination program is offering the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to residents seeking their first or second shot. The Moderna vaccine is currently being offered only as a booster for vaccinated residents.

Vaccines and booster shots are also available at the Union County Immunization Clinic located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth. This clinic is available to income-eligible households. Call (908) 965-3627/3868 during regular business hours for more details.

Union County residents who have difficulty leaving the home may be eligible for a vaccination visit. Call Union County’s service provider, Mobile Medical Services, at 833-256-2478 during regular weekday business hours to speak with an operator, or call after hours to leave a voice message for a callback. Requests for a callback can also be emailed to  vaccine@mmst.io.

Residents seeking to use Union County’s free COVID-19 testing program at Downs Hall on the Kean University campus are advised that the clinic will be closed on Veterans Day, Thursday November 11. Instead, testing will be available on Friday, November 12 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no testing at Downs Hall on Thursday, November 25. Instead, testing will be available on Wednesday, November 24, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, 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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