This is a press release from Essex County. Press releases are official statements that have not been independently verified.
On Friday, March 19th, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced a new initiative to provide vaccinations to teachers and school support staff working at public, private, charter and parochial schools in Essex County. Teachers and support staff who reside or work in Essex County can visit www.EssexCOVID.org to make an appointment. Special appointment times will be held Monday, March 22nd to Friday, March 26th in the evening.
“Receiving the COVID vaccination is the best weapon we have to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Vaccinating teachers and school support personnel is the best way for us to reopen our schools and restore in-person instruction for our children. We are pleased to offer these special and convenient times for school staff to receive their vaccinations,” DiVincenzo said.
Beginning Friday, March 19th at 5 p.m., a special button will be placed on www.EssexCOVID.org for teachers and support staff members to click to make an appointment. The appointments also will be added to the site Friday, March 19th at 5 p.m. Teachers and support staff members will be able to make appointments to receive the Moderna vaccine Monday, March 22nd to Friday, March 26th at the Essex County vaccination center at the Kmart in West Orange from 4 to 6 p.m. Vaccinations are by appointment only; walk ups will not be accommodated.
Teachers and support staff members are required to bring their school district identification card or badge with them. If they are unable to present an ID or badge, he/she will not receive a vaccine.
DiVincenzo said additional appointment times would be added the following week if they were needed.
Vaccinating teachers and support staff is the latest initiative by DiVincenzo. Other initiatives include:
* Opening five vaccination centers throughout Essex County.
* Busing senior citizens from Newark, East Orange, Irvington, Orange, Bloomfield and Belleville to Essex County vaccination sites.
* Creating “pop up” mobile vaccination sites in houses of worship, senior buildings and community centers to bring vaccines to hard to reach populations in Newark, Irvington, East Orange and Orange.
* Partnering with municipal health officers to identify and vaccinate homebound residents.
Under DiVincenzo’s leadership, Essex County has presented the following programs to help residents and small businesses during the pandemic:
* Made free COVID testing available for all Essex County residents since March 2020.
* Hosted weekly Emergency Food Distribution Events throughout the county.
* Offered two programs to assist small businesses with payroll and operating costs and pay for back rent or lease payments.
* Offered rental assistance to qualified residents who owe back rent.
* Offered mortgage assistance to qualified homeowners who owe monthly mortgage payments.
