Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center Administers 100,000^th Dose

“Mega site” now vaccinating as many as 3,500 people per day

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ – March 16, 2021 – Today the County of Morris and Atlantic Health System announced that the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center, or “mega site” has administered its 100,000^th dose, a noteworthy milestone in the fight against COVID-19. The facility, housed in a former Sears store at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, has delivered nearly half the doses of COVID-19 vaccine distributed in all of Morris County.

The 100,000^th dose was administered to Susan Henry, a resident of Morris County. She was joined by her husband Paul Henry who was also vaccinated. Both are teachers in Morris County.

“The Morris County mega site has empowered us to provide lifesaving protection to our neighbors, first responders, teachers and essential workers,” said Brian Gragnolati, President and CEO, Atlantic Health System. “I am grateful for the Atlantic Health heroes caring for our communities at the mega site and thankful for our incredible partnership with the county and state.”

“As more vaccine is becoming available to the state of New Jersey, we are inoculating more and more people at our Morris County facility. This 100,000th dose is symbolic in that it comes as the State of New Jersey released data showing nearly 144,000 people have received an initial vaccination in Morris County, and more than 74,000 have received their second dose. We know many people are still patiently waiting, but we are making great strides and we will get to them,” said Morris County Commissioner Douglas Cabana, the board liaison to law and public safety.

Since opening its doors in early January with a visit by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the mega site has dramatically expanded its capacity from several hundred doses a day and is now able to administer 3,500 daily, seven days a week from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

As one of six mega sites in New Jersey, the Morris County mega site is joined by locations in Gloucester County (Rowan College of South Jersey in Sewell), East Rutherford (The Meadowlands), Edison (New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center), Burlington County (The Moorestown Mall) and Atlantic City (The Atlantic City Convention Center).

To create the mega site, the 30,000 square foot first floor of the former Sears store was converted from shuttered retail space in less than four weeks. To help ensure safety, the building features 16 air purifiers that turn over the air every nine minutes. An estimated 150 county workers, Atlantic Health team members, sheriff’s officers and National Guard are on site to ensure smooth operations.

To learn how to sign up for an appointment at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center, visit the www.atlantichealth.org/covidvaccine