COVID-19 Vaccine News

As additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine and the booster shots become available, please check back on this page for the latest news, information, guidelines, and instructions. We will update this page as quickly and as frequently as we can to provide the most up-to-date news. For specific questions about volunteering to help give out the vaccine or about making an appointment to receive the vaccine, please call the County directly via email or telephone at the numbers they provide.

Last Updated: 9/24/2021

NJ's COVID-19 Vaccine Information Page

NJ Vaccine Registration Portal
General Public: 855-568-0545  |  Seniors 75+: 856-249-7007

Essex County COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal

For questions regarding the Essex County COVID-19 portal, email EssexCOVID19@admin.essexcountynj.org

If you are a senior citizen and need assistance in getting to your vaccination appointment, call 973-226-5108 and ask to speak with Betty Spittle who will arrange the transportation. The service is available only Monday to Friday until 4pm so be sure to make a vaccine appointment before 4pm.

NEW: Starting in mid-August 2021, immunocompromised individuals can receive a third dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at any location offering COVID-19 vaccines. The expansion to the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines applies to "severely or moderately" immune-compromised individuals who are most likely to benefit from an additional dose. This includes patients in active cancer treatment; those with uncontrolled HIV; organ or stem cell transplant recipients; those taking medications that would weaken their immune systems such as chemotherapy or anti-rejection medication after a transplant; and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs such as infliximab. A full list of conditions can be found on CDC's website.

According to the CDC, the additional dose of either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine should be the same vaccine as the initial series and administered at least four weeks after completing a primary COVID-19 vaccine series. While vaccination is likely to increase protection in this population, even after vaccination, people who are immunocompromised should continue to follow current prevention measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. CDC does notrecommend additional doses for any other population at this time. The FDA concluded that, at this time, there is not sufficient data to recommend an additional dose of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine or to allow those who received a J&J vaccine to be given an additional shot of either Pfizer or Moderna.

Essex County Vaccine Locations do have booster shots available, but an appointment will need to be made through their website or by calling their COVID Call Center at 973-877-8456.

If you need transportation to the vaccination location, you can call Maria Burak at 973-403-4623 or Betty at 973-226-5108.