After administering 390,000+ vaccine doses, the Moorestown Mall site wraps up with celebration of vaccine heroes

The Burlington County COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-Site will complete its mission this Friday, July 23, as dozens of sites across the region now make these life-saving shots readily available to the public.

“All six mega-sites in New Jersey are transitioning because they have achieved their goal of vaccinating large numbers of people in a safe, efficient manner,” said Dr. Reg Blaber, chief clinical officer of Virtua Health, the health care partner for the state-run mega-site at the Moorestown Mall. “The work to vaccinate all eligible individuals continues, but now on a more localized level.”

“We’ve come a long way since the pandemic started and the mega-site was a major contributor to the progress we have made against COVID-19,” noted Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell, who is the Commissioners’ liaison to the County Health Department. “We want to celebrate that success and thank the many dedicated health care workers, National Guard members, and volunteers who were so instrumental to the mega-site’s achievements.”

Mega-Site workers will be treated to an on-site luncheon featuring greetings from elected officials, a raffle, prizes, balloons, music, and selfie stations for photos among friends, he said.

“At the same time,” O’Connell continued, “we know there are significant numbers of people who are still not vaccinated, so we want to remind them that vaccine remains available and that getting the shot offers the best possible protection, not only for yourself, but also your loved ones and others around you.”

New Jersey is among the top 10 states in terms of vaccine participation among its population. The New Jersey Department of Health website reports more than 10.2 million total vaccine doses have been administered in the state since vaccines first became available in December 2020.

A “Mega” Accomplishment
Since it opened in mid-January 2021, the Burlington County COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-Site has been on the forefront of vaccinating those who live, work, or receive an education in New Jersey. Hundreds of mega-site staff and volunteers have contributed to administering more than 390,000 vaccine doses.

The Moorestown location is the last of the state’s six mega-sites, which collectively helped New Jersey achieve and surpass its goal of vaccinating 70% of its adult population.

The Burlington County Mega-Site has operated as a partnership among the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, Community Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps, the New Jersey National Guard, FEMA, Burlington County, and Virtua Health.

The Ongoing Effort
The next phase of New Jersey’s vaccination effort is localized and focuses on ensuring ample vaccine availability in the community. For instance, the once hard-to-come-by vaccine is now available at more than 20 places within five miles of the Burlington County Mega-Site alone, according to the State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Finder.

The Burlington County Health Department continues to administer vaccine four days a week at rotating sites. The clinics run on the following schedule:

• Mondays, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center, 53 Academy Drive, Westampton (drive-thru clinic);
• Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Palmyra Community Center, 30 West Broad, Palmyra;
• Wednesdays, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Weimann Building, 400 Delanco Road, Edgewater Park;
• Thursdays, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bordentown Township Senior Center, 3 Municipal Drive, Bordentown.

Appointments for the clinics can be made online using the online registry at covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder or by calling 855-568-0545. Walk-ins without appointments are also welcome.

All four clinics will offer both the Moderna vaccine and single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those who receive the Moderna vaccine will be informed of their second-dose date.

Vaccines Save Lives
Although Virtua's five hospitals are caring for far fewer COVID-19 patients today than they have in the past, many people are still acquiring COVID-19 and becoming critically ill.

“The one thing these people have in common is that they are not vaccinated,” said Dr. Blaber. “If we want to save more lives – as well as continue easing restrictions and fully reopen schools and offices in the fall – everyone who can be vaccinated must do their part and get the vaccine this summer. Please don't delay.”

Additionally, the new Delta variant of COVID-19 is more contagious than the original version of the virus. As this variant continues to spread in New Jersey and across the country, it will become easier for unvaccinated people to catch COVID-19. Therefore, it’s even more critical to become vaccinated as soon as possible.

Dr. Blaber said: “Spread the word that vaccines are safe, effective, and easy to come by.”

The Burlington County COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-Site Facts and Figures

• The 390,000-plus vaccine doses administered at the mega-site equates to about 195,000 fully vaccinated people. That is roughly the equivalent of the entire population of many U.S. cities, such as Salt Lake City, Utah; Akron, Ohio; or Little Rock, Arkansas.
• At its peak, the mega-site administered just under 6,000 vaccine doses per day.
• At its peak, the mega-site had 53 vaccinators working at one time, and about 110 staff members per shift.
• Approximately 2,500 individuals received their vaccination in the sensory room at the mega-site. This private area helped to alleviate the anxiety and stress that many people with special needs experience in crowded, loud areas.
• When the mega-site closes on July 23, it will have been open for 165 days total.
• From January through today, Virtua’s Vaccine Hotline at its Access Center has answered more than 319,000 calls.