Glen Howard, a 63-year-old Marlton, New Jersey resident with high-risk health problems, passed by his neighborhood’s ShopRite supermarket in hopes of receiving a vaccine, only told he didn’t have the pharmacy availability.
“I thought I could come shoot here,” Howard said. “Suddenly, they have a longer list than my arm.”
ShopRite posted on its website that it currently does not schedule any other vaccines against COVID-19 due to a full appointment schedule.
The ShopRite vaccination website message reads: “Due to overwhelming demand, our appointment schedule for COVID-19 vaccine is COMPLETE. There are currently no new appointments available. Please check back later. forward. availability of open appointment. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. “
Boyd’s Pharmacy in Marlton is also booked.
“We are booked until the end of February and it is pending to get enough vaccines to care for these people,” said pharmacist Marvin Wainwright.
His pharmacy received more than 100 calls on Wednesday night alone after news broke that Group 1B is now eligible for a vaccine in the state of New Jersey.
SEE ALSO: New Jersey expands eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines
Wainwright urges people to try to make their appointments through the state website.
“Help us help you and try not to call the local pharmacy because not only do we try to get the vaccines, but we try to take care of the patients’ normal prescribing needs, ”said Wainwright, who added that he and a partner often enters the day off to help meet the demand for vaccines.
New Jersey has administered about 264,000 doses of the vaccine.
“We saw the desire for the pods to open up to access a wider community to get vaccinated,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
But some residents experience frustration with the online registration process.
“I don’t have a computer,” said Janis Moniot of Browns Mills in Burlington County. “And I don’t have a phone that has a computer. So I can’t get anything that way.”
Governor Murphy added that the federal government’s decision not to withhold doses of the vaccine also influenced the decision.
People aged 65 and over and people aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions in New Jersey had previously been classified in group 1C. They are now part of group 1B.
First aid is also part of group 1B.
Healthcare workers are part of group 1A.
The state website lists the eligible medical conditions for people ages 16 to 64 in Group 1B as follows:
– Cancer
– Chronic kidney disease
– COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
– Down syndrome
– Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
– Obesity (body mass index of 30 kg / m2 or higher but – Severe obesity (BMI 40 kg / m2)
– Sickle cell disease
– To smoke
– Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Those wishing to make appointments can access information on New Jersey vaccination sites here.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, is also expanding vaccine launches. The county has administered about 6,500 doses out of the 10,000 doses it received from the federal government.
“I’m so excited about the enthusiasm that so many people have to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Montgomery County Health Commissioner.
Phases 1A, 1B and 1C include essential front-line workers, people aged 65 and over and people aged 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions. Montgomery County lists these medical conditions as follows:
– Cancer
– Chronic kidney disease
– COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
– Down syndrome
– Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
– Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) by transplantation of solid organs
– Obesity (body mass index of 30 kg / m2 or higher but – Severe obesity (BMI 40 kg / m2)
– Pregnancy
– Sickle cell disease
– To smoke
– Type 2 diabetes mellitus
To pre-register the vaccine in Montgomery County, click on this link.
SEE ALSO: US calls on states to vaccinate all those over 65; do not retain the 2nd dose
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