The sun finally broke through the clouds today! Another shot of wintry weather will impact us on Monday, but warmer weather is expected to head our way later next week. I think I speak for everyone when I say that Spring can’t come soon enough. 

Unfortunately, due to extreme weather across the country, there have been nationwide mail and package delivery delays. New Jersey has not yet received approximately 230,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses that were expected earlier this week. The state has been working with its vaccination sites to use existing inventory to satisfy current appointments. However, not all sites have been able to do this, and some appointments have been rescheduled and will continue to be rescheduled. 

As of yesterday morning, 1,559,569 vaccination doses have been administered in NJ. That includes more than 1.1 million first doses, and more than 456,000 second doses. There continues to be a tremendous imbalance between the supply and demand of COVID-19 vaccines across the country, and shipping delays have added yet another layer of frustration to the ongoing supply challenges. 

As NJ's vaccination program continues, the NJDOH is eager to increase distribution points for the vaccine. Unfortunately, the state cannot expand the number of sites until more vaccination doses are available. Currently, there are 1,700 providers in NJ approved to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, but the state only has enough supply to provide vaccination doses to about 300 of these providers. For a list of available locations, please click here. 

Hopefully, as the state sees an increase in vaccination allotments from the federal government, NJ will expand locations and access for more people to get vaccinated. 

To receive notifications regarding your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and to find out when appointments are available, please sign-up at atlantichealth.org and the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System. 

Sarah Neibart

Mayor, Mendham Township