According to Gloucester County, people who received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine at the mega-site in Sewell are currently unable to book an appointment for a second dose.
And the clock ticks.
The Pfizer vaccine has been administered by Rowan College in South Jersey since January 8. The vaccine requires a second dose after 21 days. For those who got their chance on the day the site opened, the 21-day point is Friday.
This past weekend, Gloucester County posted an update on its website and emailed those who received the vaccine, explaining that the county has the state’s registration system, called the New Jersey Vaccination Scheduling System of NJVSS, used for all appointments.
“Gloucester County is currently unable to schedule second-dose appointments for individuals visiting the site for their first dose because the NJVSS does not have the capabilities,” the message read.
And during the governor’s daily briefing, Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the state’s website should be able to accept appointments on the second dose on Friday. She also mentions a proposal that the state set up a separate telephone line to plan second doses, a good recommendation. ‘
She also said the health department sent an email to the vaccine administrators reminding them to plan the second doses before a patient leaves after receiving the first dose.
Persichilli also said the Gloucester site was closed Monday because the vaccines were no longer available. She said she was not sure how many appointments should be canceled, but that the visits would be rescheduled. The mega-website is supposed to be up and running again on Tuesday, she said.
Some people who received their doses early said no one at the site was able to give them information about the second dose except to log in to the state registration system to make an appointment. make. Others said they received emails with a link to the site, but when they tried to book a time frame, there was none available, or they said there was no way to indicate that they were after the second dose would not seek.
Mary Milner, 80, said she received her first dose at the Gloucester site on January 22. She said the site was well run but no one had information on second doses.
“It puts us in the position, on February 12. If we don’t get a new appointment, it puts us in the same extremely vulnerable position as before the first dose, and it actually loses the first dose,” Milner said. who lives in Monmouth County and drove 90 minutes to get her vaccination.
According to the province, some people have received emails of the second dose from the state, while others are still waiting.
“Gloucester County is hopeful that the state will update its capabilities and offer us the option to schedule appointments on the second dose on site soon,” he said. “In addition, Gloucester County is creating our own scheduling system so we can easily accommodate our guests for the second dose.”
Government officials have repeatedly said that vaccination sites are responsible for bringing people back for second doses, and this encourages websites to make appointments when the first dose is given. However, officials have not said how people at the Gloucester site, which is run by the state, will be able to discuss this appointment.
Despite the uncertainty about making appointments, the province said it would be able to give a second dose.
“The state releases vaccine appointments, as vaccines are available,” the province said in a statement. “We understand the frustration over waiting times, but we urge everyone to be patient.”
Timing is essential, said Stephanie Navarro Silvera, an epidemiologist and professor of public health at Montclair State University.
She said the clinical studies conducted by Pfizer and Moderna show that the vaccines provide the highest protection 21 and 28 days after the first dose, respectively.
“Unfortunately, there is not much scientific support to extend the interval between doses,” she said. “Without more studies, including larger and more diverse sample sizes, it is difficult to say what impact the extension of the dose interval may have on the efficacy of the vaccine.”
Gloucester County did not immediately respond to questions about when the state’s site, or its own website, could possibly handle the second dose of appointments.
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Karin Price Mueller can be reached at [email protected].