After being criticized for not scheduling appointments for the second dose of the COVID vaccine at a state-run mega-site, officials say people will now automatically get the dates they desperately seek.
Gloucester County officials said the county is working with the state to ensure that people who got their first vaccinations at the Rowan College, South Jersey mega-site receive the much-needed second dose.
“As confirmed by the State, on Friday, January 29, 2021, all individuals who have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before January 29, 2021 will be automatically scheduled for their second dose,” said the county . “These individuals should expect to receive an email that includes a QR code (matrix barcode) with the date and time of their next appointment.”
If the county does not have an email address registered with someone, they will receive a text message or telephone to schedule their second dose.
Thereafter, everyone who receives the vaccine on or after January 30 will automatically receive a second dose appointment from the state, the county said.
“The State has informed that the appointments will be consistent with the date on the back of the card and all appointments will be made at the Gloucester County Mega Vaccination Site,” said the county.
Several readers told NJ Advance Media that they were concerned about getting a second dose appointment, especially since doses and appointments are scarce. They said they were unable to book one on the state’s registration website, which was confirmed by the county on Monday.
“Seeing that state and county officials reached a resolution is good news, assuming everything goes well with their plan,” said Charlie Dowd, one of the people who was waiting for news about a second dose visit.
The state said on Tuesday that it exceeded 600,000 confirmed cases on the same day it reached 600,000 administered vaccinations.
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Karin Price Mueller can be contacted at [email protected].