FREE WALK-IN VACCINE CLINIC OPENS AT ST. ELIZABETH IN ELIZABETH

Contributed by: Canon Karen Moore

Share on facebook

Share on twitter

Share on email

The New Jersey Department of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened a vaccination clinic at St. Elizabeth’s in Elizabeth to help more residents of Union County protect themselves and their neighbors against COVID.

Father Robin Pierre (far left) and Father Andy Moore (3rd from right) with members of FEMA and the State Health Department

Tuesdays through Fridays throughout February, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., anyone can come to St. Elizabeth’s, located at 305 North Broad Street in Elizabeth, to get a first, second, or booster shot at no cost. Appointments are not necessary. The vaccinations are provided through the State Health Department and FEMA.

St. Elizabeth’s Rector, Rev. Andy Moore said that the project is a part of the activities of the Urban Revitalization Task Force, an initiative that is designed to bring critical resources to meet human care needs in urban areas of the Diocese of New Jersey.

The project will also help people comply with the state mandate requiring covered workers at health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including having received a booster dose.

Bruce Tretheway Jr., of the Office of Disaster Resilience for the State Health Department, said, “We are so pleased to partner with St. Elizabeth’s on this vital effort to get everyone vaccinated and boosted. The location of St. Elizabeth’s is ideal for reaching the citizens of Elizabeth and the surrounding area. We have been able to vaccinate 245 people in just two days. The deeper story to be told is about this location and its ability to serve health, social service, and spiritual needs as a house of worship.

“We had a family that consisted of a grandmother, grandfather, son, and daughter-in-law along with their college-age daughter and 7-year-old son come to get vaccinated. And a man from Bangladesh who had been struggling got vaccinated and had a cup of hot coffee. The look of gratitude on that man’s face inspired me.”

Father Andy added that taking part in the push for vaccinations is part of the Church’s responsibility as Christians “to bring healing and wholeness to our community. Healthy communities lead to healthy churches, and that is especially in urban locations.”

For more information, email Father Andy.