Mayor W. Reed Gusciora announced yesterday that the City will be offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at evening and weekend clinics this week in order to make the vaccine more accessible to individuals who cannot take off from work or school.
The vaccine clinics will be held at the following sites in Trenton this week:
- Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Unity Square Park, Hamilton Ave & Division St (Johnson & Johnson)
- Thursday, April 29, 2021, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Iglesia Pentecostal Assemblies, 50 N Clinton Ave (Moderna)
- Friday, April 30, 2021, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Iglesia Pentecostal Assemblies, 50 N Clinton Ave (Moderna)
- Saturday, May 1, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Trenton Firehouse, 244 Perry St, Trenton (Moderna)
The vaccines are available to all Trenton residents, age 18 and older. No appointment required. The lines will be outside, so residents should dress appropriately just in case there are wait times.
According to the N.J. Department of Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended lifting the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The federal agencies have stated that they have “…confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19” and that “…potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.”
As such, the City of Trenton will resume offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at this Wednesday’s clinic and to homebound residents across Trenton. Johnson & Johnson vaccines are ideal for the homebound initiative because they are easier to transport and require only one appointment. The City had been using Moderna to continue the homebound campaign while federal agencies reviewed the Johnson & Johnson version.
Homebound residents or their relatives can call (609) 815-2180 or email amthomas@trentonnj.org to schedule an in-home vaccine appointment. City medical staff will wait 15 to 30 minutes with each patient after administering the vaccine to monitor for side effects.
Previously, the CDC and the FDA reviewed data involving six reported cases – among nearly seven million doses administered in the U.S. – in women between the ages of 18 and 48 who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Symptoms occurred six to 13 days after vaccination. In these cases, a rare type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets.
Both the CDC and FDA have concluded that these adverse events are extremely rare. The City of Trenton has not heard of any similar reactions from the Johnson & Johnson vaccines administered by Trenton health personnel.
As always, individuals who have received the vaccine and develop abdominal pain, leg pain, shortness of breath, severe headache or other unusual symptoms within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.
The city’s ongoing vaccination efforts are made possible by continuous support from the Trenton Health Team, the Henry J. Austin Medical Center, the Mercer County Board of Social Services, Trenton Housing Authority, Mercer County Meals on Wheels and the Trenton Council of Civic Associations. The Mayor offered special thanks to the Latino Merchants Association of New Jersey for helping organize Wednesday’s event on short notice.
All residents interested in the vaccine should reserve a spot at the state portal at covidvaccine.nj.gov and contact the City Department of Health at (609)-989-3242 or covidvac@trentonnj.org.
