Monmouth County deploys mobile vaccination unit despite limited number of doses given from state

Monmouth County has rolled out the first of three mobile vaccination sites, despite a limited number of doses given to them from the state.

News 12 Staff

Jan 5, 2021, 11:28 PM

Updated 1,377 days ago

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Monmouth County has rolled out the first of three mobile vaccination sites, despite a limited number of doses given to them from the state.
The first of three mobile vaccination sites began today at the Middletown firehouse. Commissioner director Tom Arnone says the county health department has only been provided 500 vaccines per week, despite asking for more from the state. 
“I think preparing, preparation, putting things into place could have been done a little better,” says Arnone. “We had a lot of time to put everything together.”
People eligible in group 1a pre-registered and are receiving them. Registration is filled, and there’s a waiting list until the county gets more vaccines from the state.
“The vaccinations that we have, the amount of people who want them currently, has exceeded our ability to provide all the vaccinations,” says Monmouth County Public Health Coordinator Christopher Merkel.
State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said Monday, holidays were to blame for the delays. "People didn't want to get vaccinated on the holidays in case they didn't feel well,” says Persichilli.
The units will move Wednesday to the Shore Area Communications Center in Neptune, and then on Thursday, they will set up at iPlay America in Freehold.