HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – The Hunterdon County Health Department has administered over 9,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine at the Department’s drive thru clinic, while the members of the County’s Board of Commissioners continue to wait their turn to seek vaccination appointments when eligible, according to Commissioner Shaun C. Van Doren.
Van Doren, the Board’s Health Department liaison, said, “The Health Department continues to meet the challenges presented by the pandemic, not the least of which is successfully operating the drive thru vaccination clinic at the route 12 complex. To date 9156 first and second doses of vaccine have been administered by the Department and the response from the public to the efficiency and professionalism of the team at the clinic has
been extremely positive.”
“The waiting list system is operating effectively. When individuals on the list gain appointments, those spots on the waitlist are reported as open on the County’s website. Waitlist vacancies continue to fill quickly. And I can continue to report that no member of this Board of Commissioners has yet received vaccination, as we continue to not be part of the eligible groups,” Van Doren said.
According to Van Doren, a call center has been set up to assist those 65-years-old and over who are unable to navigate the website or do not have the internet. The call center can be reached by calling 908 788-1351, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the week for assistance.
“The greatest challenge continues to be the limited vaccine supplied by the state. After receiving 600 doses per week from the state earlier in the month, the county was cut back to only 500 doses these past two weeks. As Health Department Director Karen DeMarco has stated, everyone on the wait list is guaranteed vaccination, so the Department cannot extend the waiting list beyond the level of expected vaccine supplies,” Van Doren said.
“A few weeks ago, on behalf of the Board, I communicated with state legislators representing the county seeking their assistance in lobbying the state Department of Health for an increase in vaccine supply for the county. Both Senators Doherty and Turner responded back and provided copies of their communications to the Governor on behalf of the county. We greatly appreciate their responses and support. And now that the state has made more individuals eligible for vaccinations, we will continue to press the state for increased vaccine supply,” Van Doren said.
