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EDISON, NJ – New Jersey’s third COVID-19 vaccination “mega site” was opened in Edison on Friday. Governor Phil Murphy visited the site at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center.
He posed for photos with Richard Satyavan, a 76-year-old New Brunswick resident, who was one of the first people to receive a dose of the vaccine at the center.
Murphy was joined by Department of Health Commissioner Jusy Persichilli, Representative Frank Pallone, Middlesex County Commissioners Council Director Ronald G. Rios, Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey, among others.
According to officials, the facility hopes to administer around 2,000 vaccines per day.
“We are pleased that Middlesex County has been chosen as the vaccination mega-site destination,” said Rios.
“Our county is fully equipped to provide the necessary resources and state-of-the-art infrastructure to safely and effectively deploy the COVID-19 vaccine both at the mega site and at our own vaccination sites. This vaccine is a big blow to the pandemic, but we need to continue to remain vigilant, ”he said.
Teams from RWJBarnabas Health, Middlesex County and the National Guard are coordinating efforts at the site to operate, secure staffing and ensure maximum safety and efficiency of the vaccination effort. More than 100 staff are currently on site to provide services such as security, registration, vaccination and medical observation.
Murphy had come under criticism earlier this week, with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine priority list prioritizing smokers over teachers.
But he fended off criticism on Friday. “It’s a cheap shot for a title,” Murphy said. “Our first priority must be to vaccinate people at higher risk. We cannot lose sight of the fact that this is a respiratory virus and smoking puts a person at a higher risk of a more serious case.
Murphy said Thursday that 300,000 vaccines had been administered statewide.
Edison’s mega vaccination site is equipped with 20 vaccination stations and will be open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Jersey has started vaccinating people over the age of 65 and others with health conditions and those aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions as defined by the CDC.
The state’s goal is to immunize 70 percent of the adult population – or 4.7 million adults – in six months.
To make an appointment on Edison’s “mega site”, click here.
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