The vaccine rollout continues to expand with the addition of new sites, according to Mayor James Davis. As COVID-19 vaccinations increase, more virus restrictions have been lifted.
“Much has changed in New Jersey and here in Bayonne in regards to the coronavirus restrictions,” Davis said. “Due to your continued support and cooperation, many of the restrictions that have been put in place over the course of this health emergency are now gone. Shopping, dining, and so many other activities that have been restricted for so long are now restriction-free.”
Davis said he hopes to see an end to the public health emergency in the coming weeks.
“But we are not done,” he said. “In Bayonne, I have been committed to make sure that each of us do our part in protecting ourselves and our most vulnerable population since late February of 2020. The vaccine is the best way to do this.”
Get the jab
Davis urged residents to get vaccinated at the city’s main point of distribution (POD) at the Korpi Ice Rink.
Residents can walk in at the ice rink behind Bayonne High School at 669 Avenue A, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are not needed but can be made between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Pfizer vaccine is administered Tuesdays and Thursdays at the ice rink. The Moderna vaccine will be administered to residents 18 and over on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Anyone under 18 must have their parent’s or guardian’s permission.
Since the Pfizer vaccine was authorized for those over age 12, Davis said the city has seen an uptick at the vaccination point of distribution. So much so, that the city extended the operation of the ice rink POD.
“I was actually going to close this POD, but due to the large number of people still coming out, I will keep this POD open longer,” Davis said.
Davis also announced the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management (OEM), in conjunction with Bayonne Medical Center and the Bayonne Housing Authority, will set up vaccination PODs at all housing authority complexes. The city has vaccinated the BHA’s senior population, according to Davis, but wants to further reach out to the residents of these “heavily populated” buildings.
Mobile vaccination sites began operating at downtown housing complexes on June 4. The first round of buildings includes Bergen Point Gardens, Kill Van Kull Gardens, LaTourette Gardens, and Bridgeview Manor.
COVID by the numbers
The city has administered 57,770 doses, equating to 63 percent of the adult population having received one dose. For those 12 and over, 47 percent have received one dose.
“Due to the large numbers of people that have been vaccinated, COVID-19 is abating,” Davis said. “In Bayonne, we have been down to single digits of people who are currently positive for the coronavirus.”
Due to the significant drop in coronavirus cases, the COVID-19 testing that had been taking place at Veterans Stadium ended on May 30.
Cases continue to decline after having plummeted dramatically in early May. There were 8 residents positive as of June 3, decreasing from 9 last week.
The number of hospitalizations remains low, as most residents recover at home. There was only one COVID-19 patient at BMC as of June 3. OEM does not have data on Bayonne residents in other hospitals.
Places to get vaccinated
Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Korpi Ice Rink. To register, call 201-537-4818. Walk-ins get vaccinated here from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with no appointment needed.
To register at Bayonne Medical Center, call 201-858-6088 or email bayvax@baynj.org. Leave a message with a name, date of birth, and contact. The vaccine hotline is available weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To register at the RWJBarnabas Satellite Emergency Department at 519 Broadway, go to rwjbh.org. To register at Riverside Medical Group at 432 Broadway, go to riversidemedgroup.com.
Residents 65 and older can register at the Walmart at East 22nd Street and Route 440 by calling 201-620-6512, or by calling the New Jersey Senior Hotline at 856-249-7007.
To register at the uptown Rite Aid at the corner of Broadway and West 54th Street, go to riteaid.com/covid-19. To register at the Stop & Shop at Route 440 and LeFante Way, go to stopandshop.com/pages/ss-pharmacy. Register at any of the Walgreens in Bayonne at walgreens.com.
Register at Hudacko’s Pharmacy at 861 Broadway at hudackospharmacy.com. Register at Brockman’s Pharmacy at 78 Avenue C by calling 201-437-2175.
To register at the Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center, go to hudsoncovidvax.org. To register at one of the state’s vaccination mega-sites go to covidvaccine.nj.gov.
Residents must get their second doses at the same location as their first.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
