New Jersey’s newest COVID-19 vaccination mega-site is now open in Bergen County.
Officials on Friday said the site inside the old Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford is ready to receive those eligible for the vaccine. It is one of the final six mega-sites to open statewide, a promising milestone in the fight against COVID-19 in New Jersey.
“When vaccination supply increases, these mega-sites will be able to accommodate large numbers of people daily — as much as 3-5,000,” said Dept. of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli in a briefing on Friday. “Given the operational and logistical considerations, in addition to storage requirements of vaccines, appointments are required at virtually all of our vaccination sites at this time.”
Health care workers began vaccinations inside the re-purposed venue this week.
The mega-site, run by Hackensack Meridian Health in partnership with Bergen County officials, hosted a soft opening Thursday, with an estimated 100 vaccines given to the health network’s employees. An additional 150 employees were expected to be vaccinated Friday.