Monroe Township EMS crews, accompanied by township police officers and members of the Office of Emergency Management, transported pharmacists from Texas Road Pharmacy to the homes of 10 township homebound residents who each received their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Second dose appointments for in-home delivery already are scheduled for these individuals.
“This morning was a big step in our fight against COVID-19 and keeping our residents safe. The Township Council and I are thrilled that the first 10 doses of the coveted COVID-19 vaccine were delivered to our homebound residents,” Mayor Stephen Dalina said in a statement after the April 26 event. “On behalf of the council and from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank Texas Road Pharmacy for partnering with us on this meaningful initiative. Special thanks to our highly skilled and very compassionate EMS and police crews for supporting these efforts. It’s all about working together to help those in need.”
Each vile of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine contains 10 inoculations.
The program to deliver vaccines to Monroe homebound residents began with a collection of names from concerned residents throughout the town calling the mayor’s office since the beginning of the state’s vaccine roll-out, according to the statement. This included the Saint Peter’s University Hospital nurses working at each of the township’s adult communities who were asked to submit names of homebound residents.
In total, a list of 80 homebound residents in Monroe was compiled.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank Point of Care Pharmacy in Jamesburg and the County of Middlesex who initially stepped up to offer the J&J vaccine prior to the unfortunate recall,” Dalina said in the statement.
Earlier this year, the township launched the Vaccine Angels program where volunteers secured COVID-19 vaccine appointments for senior residents and those without family support or access to technology. The program resulted in hundreds of appointments for seniors and other residents, according to the statement. The Vaccine Angels program continues to help scheduling vaccines to residents on a regular basis.
Any Monroe resident needing a homebound vaccination or assistance scheduling a vaccination appointment should call Eileen in the mayor’s office at 732-521-4400, ext. 114.