NJ Says COVID Vaccine Sites Must Schedule 2nd Doses. Some Didn't.

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ — The state Department of Health says it's gotten complaints that two vaccine sites in New Jersey did not follow state guidelines when it comes to booking an appointment for a second shot of the coronavirus vaccine.

Those sites are the Monroe Senior Center in Middlesex County and the Gloucester County-run mega site at Rowan College, both of which State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said Monday afternoon need to comply with state guidelines.

The Rowan site closed on Monday because it ran out of vaccines.

"We advised all the points of dispensing to make a second appointment before the person leaves on their first appointment," said Persichilli Monday. "That is the best practice. Get your second-dose appointment before you leave."

She said the state contacted the Rowan and Monroe sites on Monday, telling them they needed to follow the state Department of Health guidance that a second-dose appointment should be made at the vaccine site where you got your first shot.

The DOH even recommends returning to the same site where you received the first dose, to ensure you get the same type of vaccine (either Moderna or Pfizer.)

Persichilli said everyone who got the first shot but didn't make the next appointment will now be contacted by the state DOH to get their second injection.

"The second doses are set aside. Everyone will get their second dose," she said. "So we have to make sure they will get their appointments to get their second dose. Get your second dose appointment before you leave."

Persichilli said she's gotten about 30 email complaints about those sites. "We're following up on every single one of them, in relation to Gloucester, Rowan and Monroe and a couple of other sites that did not make the appointments.

"They have all received an email today outlining those procedures once again."

Those sites have been directing people to book their second shot online, state officials said.

The Rowan site ran out of vaccine doses on Monday and is waiting for a new shipment. Gloucester County officials told Patch the reason they could not schedule appointments for the second doses on-site is because the state portal doesn't have that capability.

Persichilli acknowledged Monday the state portal that schedules second doses is not yet up and running and is scheduled to be running by this Friday.

"We have a lot of questions about second-dose appointments," she said.

Gloucester officials said they are hopeful the state will update its capabilities, making it possible to schedule second dose appointments on-site in the near future.

New Jersey resident Joe Kott is one of those people who didn't get a second appointment. Kott, who is older than 65, got his first shot Friday at the Monroe Senior Center.

Kott told Patch he received the injection and then was stunned when healthcare workers directed him to leave, and told him to book his second appointment online. He searched all weekend across the state, found no appointments open and could not even verify if he would be getting a vaccine from the same manufacturer.

His brother in law experienced the same thing at Rowan, he said.

"So I don’t have a second-shot appointment and don’t know when or even if I will be able to get one," he said.

"Middlesex County would like to clarify that all individuals who have been vaccinated at Middlesex County’s vaccination sites, including at the Monroe Township Senior Center, on or after January 21, will receive a notification to schedule an appointment for their second dose," said Middlesex County officials.

"Rest assured, Middlesex County is fully equipped with advanced infrastructure both operationally and technologically to administer second doses to every individual who has been vaccinated at the County’s six sites and the mega-site at Raritan Center," continued Middlesex County officials. "The state has assured the county that it will have sufficient supply to dispense second doses. The county is committed to ensuring that anyone who has received the first dose at any of Middlesex County’s facilities from January 21 to date, will be assisted in making appointments for the second dose.”

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe

With reporting by Anthony Bellano