Those who are still waiting to get a COVID-19 vaccine shot may soon be able to find them at locally owned and operated pharmacies.

The Plumsted Pharmacy in New Egypt is one of the first local “mom and pop” run stores in the state to receive its first shipment of the vaccine.

New Egypt resident Laura Kazio's vaccine journey was on hold by the state until a few days ago when she heard about her local pharmacy giving out shots this weekend.

“We’ve been signed up for a very long time and I haven’t heard anything,” she says.

But then she was told to check the Plumsted Pharmacy website to register for an appointment.

“I got an email last night…I’m good to go, scheduled for Saturday,” she says.

Pharmacy owner Alex Toth says that quick thinking and good planning allowed his staff to help many customers skip the lines at the state and county-run vaccine centers and serve the local community.

“The need is incredible in this area. Community pharmacies are one of the easiest accessible health care providers in the entire community,” Toth says. “Patients wanted to come here to get the vaccine, no drive an hour, hour and a half, to get the vaccine and wait in lines. They wanted to get immunized by the pharmacist they know.”

Toth received his first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday. Through a partnership with New Egypt and Plumsted Township, the first shots will be administered at the municipal building on Saturday.

Plumsted Pharmacy's vaccine are by appointment. New Jerseyans are urged to check with their local pharmacy for vaccine availability in the upcoming weeks.