NJ’s COVID Vaccine Rollout Continues With Limited Supply and High Demand

January 27, 2021

As most New Jersey residents are aware, the state’s rollout of the vaccine continues and with limited supply and high demand, wait lists can be substantial.

Last month, Autism New Jersey provided recommendations to the Department of Health, given our community’s unique needs and risks.

New Jersey Department of Health has expanded their list of groups that are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination to now include individuals with developmental disabilities who live in congregate settings, all residents over the age of 65, and residents ages 16 to 64 that have medical conditions that would increase their risk of severe illness from the virus.

The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities’ (DDD) Division Update offers useful information on vaccine eligibility and how to register. With partnerships emerging with retail pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS and now Walmart, providers are being offered opportunities to facilitate vaccinations for residential and program participants and staff.

For additional information about vaccines:

Visit the state’s COVID-19 Hub for more information. The site has links for the general public to pre-register and up-to-the date information about how to schedule an appointment.

If you have problems with the online system, the State’s toll-free vaccination hotline (855.568.0545) is available to assist callers with identifying if they are currently eligible for a vaccination, pre-register for the vaccine, and to help them identify locations nearest to them where they can get vaccinated. The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day and can help callers in more than 240 different languages. Due to high demand, there may be considerable hold times.


Experience Our Power of Connection

Autism New Jersey will continue to monitor the vaccine rollout and provide updates. Our helpline is available to answer specific questions. Call us at 800.4.AUTISM or information@autismnj.org or send us a message/chat with us via the link at the bottom of this page.

We remain focused on our mission to be a resource for the autism community. We recognize that there are many questions and complex considerations, and we are working hard to address these substantial issues and provide our expertise and stakeholder perspectives as the state’s plans are developed.

Originally posted 1/18/2021