These N.J. schools provide COVID vaccines, tests to anyone. Find a clinic here. – NJ.com
Deborah Kinney-Champ has seen the COVID-19 pandemic from many sides.
As the mother of a nurse who kept her updated on the health crisis. A Rutgers staff member, manning her station in the dining hall when coronavirus first struck. And as a positive patient herself — with a bout that lasted four weeks before she fully recovered.
But on her visit to a vaccine booster clinic a couple weeks ago, she was just another curious Somerset resident.
“‘Can my husband come here, too?’ I remember asking the person who gave me my shot,” said Kinney-Champ on Thursday, remembering her appointment from a few weeks back. “They said he could, so that’s why I’m here today …I plan to bring my son next week.”
Rutgers University is not the only school throughout the state that allows anyone living, working, or studying in New Jersey — even if not directly affiliated with the campus or district — to get their coronavirus vaccine or booster on-site. Various schools are providing the same resources, including testing, by either hosting clinics themselves or partnering with other organizations to do so.
“Bergen New Bridge is proud to be leading the way out of this pandemic by bringing vaccines and testing directly into the communities that need them the most,” said Deborah Visconi, president and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, which hosts clinics at Ramapo College.
“Easy access to the vaccines and testing is key and that is what our community programs provide. I urge everyone who is eligible, kids and adults, to get vaccinated now and don’t hesitate to get tested,” she added.
Les Barta, director of Rutgers’ simulation technology program and manager of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy vaccine clinic, said schools expanding vaccine resources to non-students and staff is important to cull the spread of the virus. It’s part of a larger effort to minimize the roadblocks for people looking for inoculations, he said.
“To me, the community is not only Rutgers but it’s their friends and family, their neighbors. So that’s why this was always envisioned as an open pod,” Barta said.
A spokeswoman at Kean University echoed the sentiment, saying that both vaccines and testing have been widely available thanks to a partnership with Union County.
Local schools, like the Camden City School District, are also providing vaccine resources — hosting a clinic at the Dudley Family School gymnasium Tuesday. Another event is scheduled for Jan. 25 at the same school.
“Understanding the importance between home, school, and community partnerships, we are proud of the fact that we can offer vaccination clinics to our students and families in the surrounding community,” Superintendent Katrina McCombs said in a statement. “With the right planning and communications these clinics will benefit so many and hopefully lessen COVID cases throughout Camden.”
To search the state dashboard for a vaccine or test site near you click here and to learn how you can order a COVID test from the federal government click here. Below are schools offering upcoming COVID-19 vaccine or test clinics throughout the state (appointment availability, walk-in access and required documents vary by site):
Atlantic Cape Community College Atlantic Cape Community College will host a pop-up drive-thru vaccine clinic Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Worthington Atlantic City Campus.
The event, which is first-come first-serve, is open to the public and includes popcorn for adults and a free all-day wristbands for Steel Pier in Atlantic City for children. Organizers said anyone 5+ is welcome and those under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian. To learn more click here.
Brookdale Community College Brookdale Community College will continue to host a vaccine clinic Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. at its Children’s Learning Center in Lincroft. Monmouth County will also hold a vaccine clinic at Memorial Elementary School on Jan. 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For information click here or call 732-431-7456.
Camden County College Camden County College, in partnership with the county and other partners, provides vaccines on its Blackwood campus from Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., as well as Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The same site provides saliva tests Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
To schedule an appointment, click here.
Cumberland Regional High School The Cumberland Regional High School will hold a vaccine clinic Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Registration is required at www.cumberlandcountynjvaccination.org/vaccine/invite using code CRHS-P for initial dose of Pfizer vaccine, CRHS-PB for Pfizer booster, and CRHS-MB for a Moderna booster.
Essex County College Essex County College is one of three primary locations for county vaccine and test access. For information on booking appointments and available hours click here.
Hackensack Free test sites are available at Hackensack High School on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jackson Ave School also provides testing from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information click here.
Kean University Kean University provides testing opportunities at Downs Hall in Union on Mondays from 7 a.m. to Noon on Mondays and 7 a.m. to Noon and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Click here to make an appointment online or call 908-613-7829.
Manchester Regional High School Manchester Regional High School in Haledon will host a vaccine clinic, which is open to the public, Feb. 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Newark Testing is provided at Ann Street School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays for Newark residents only. Anyone can access tests at Newark Schools Stadium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Saturday. Click here to learn more.
NJDCF Regional School The New Jersey Department of Children and Families will host a vaccine clinic Jan. 31 from 1 pm to 5 pm. at its Atlantic campus. RSVP are preferred but walk-ins are allowed. To learn more, click here.
Princeton University Princeton University will continue to give the campus community access to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, with upcoming booster clinics Jan. 28 and Jan. 31 (times TBD). The schedule of available February appointments is also still in the works, but they will continue to be open to the public, a school spokesman confirmed.
Appointments get priority but walk-ins — who should expect a longer wait time — are welcome, an online statement says. To make an appointment, visit the state’s vaccine scheduling system or call 855-568-0545 from 8 am – 8pm, 7 days a week.
For more information and updates click here.
Ramapo College Ramapo College will host a vaccine/booster clinic Feb. 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at its Trustees Pavilion (Mahwah campus). The school, which requires registration, says Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available.
Rutgers University Rutgers University provides vaccines to the public by appointment in Piscataway, Newark and Camden from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. School officials noted that pediatric vaccinations for children who qualify are only available at the Piscataway site.
For information click here and to make an appointment call 848-445-3033 or click here.
Rowan College The Rowan College of Burlington County will open a test site for students and the wider public Jan. 24 in Mt. Laurel Township. The site, which requires appointments, will be open Monday to Friday 1 to 7 p.m. To make an appointment and learn more visit www.burlingtoncountytesting.org.
Salt Brook School Salt Brook School in New Providence — in partnership with the Westfield Regional Health Department — will host a walk-in vaccine clinic Jan. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For information click here.
Walk-ins are welcome, school officials said. For information click here.
South Orange-Maplewood School District Livingston company MediMobile will provide tests to staff, students, faculty and Essex County residents on Saturdays at Columbia High School and Wednesdays at the Board of Education Building. To learn more click here.
Statewide Medical clinic Grapefruit Testing provides free coronavirus tests throughout the state, including the Millville School District maintenance garage, Atlantic Cape Community College, Great Oaks Legacy High School and Felician University. To learn more and make an appointment click here.
West Orange High School West Orange High School will host free COVID-19 testing for all in the community Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Way Gym. Attendees must fill out required forms, which can be found here.
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Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @stevenrodasnj.