State Sen. Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, addresses the crowd in October during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Stockton University building in Atlantic City that will feature apartment-style living quarters.
Gov. Phil Murphy, right, has endorsed Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., left, in the July 7 primary election. The two officials are seen here touring the field medical station constructed in response to the coronavirus pandemic at the Atlantic City Convention Center in April.
ATLANTIC CITY — A vaccine mega site at the Convention Center could open as soon as next week, according to state Sen. Chris Brown.
“Working with the Governor’s Office to expedite the distribution of the vaccine as quickly as possible, the target date is Jan. 22, the end of next week,” Brown, R-Atlantic, said Thursday.
Last month, Gov. Phil Murphy announced plans to open six “mega” vaccination sites throughout the state, with one located in the Atlantic City Convention Center. So far, two sites are operational: one at Rowan College of South Jersey in Gloucester County and another in Morris County.
Brown said he had hoped to have the Atlantic City site open by last week, but there have been issues with the allotment of vaccines from the federal government.
“Once we receive our allotment, we should be able to vaccinate 2,500 to 3,500 people per day. That’s what I’m pushing toward,” he said.
New Jersey is in phase 1A/1B of its vaccination plan, which includes health care workers and volunteers, long-term care residents and staff, and first responders. On Wednesday, Murphy opened up eligibility to residents over 65 and individuals 16 and older with certain underlying medical conditions including cancer, heart conditions, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and smokers. People who are pregnant and immunocompromised due to an organ transplant are also eligible but are told to discuss the matter first with their medical provider.
New Jerseyans can pre-register at covidvaccine.nj.gov or call a vaccination site to make an appointment. For general COVID-19 questions, call 211.
Claire Lowe
Staff Writer
I began covering South Jersey in 2008 after graduating from Rowan University with a degree in journalism. I joined The Press in 2015. In 2013, I was awarded a NJPA award for feature writing as a reporter for The Current of Hamilton Township.
Welcome to the discussion.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.