Press Release

JERSEY CITY, NJ -- With the federal government announcing parameters for booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise is announcing that anyone eligible to receive a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine will be able to do so at the Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center starting Monday. County Executive DeGise encourages anyone eligible to get their booster, which will be offered free of charge, as soon as possible in order to protect themselves and the Hudson County community.

“We are fully prepared to begin administering booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine at the Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center and we encourage anyone who is eligible to get their vaccine today and do their part to keep our communities safe,” said County Executive Tom DeGise. “Just as we have been since our vaccine program began late last year, our team is working cooperatively with municipal health officers, state and federal government and all other stakeholders to ensure an efficient, equitable distribution of vaccines.”

“The best thing that we can do to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect ourselves and our families is to follow all guidance from the CDC,” said Carrie Nawrocki, Executive Director of Hudson Regional Health Commission. “We are ready to begin distributing booster shots on Monday, and urge anyone who meets the criteria to get their booster shot at the Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center, free of charge with no appointment necessary.” The CDC announced new guidance with regard to booster shots, recommending that anyone who got their first two Pfizer vaccines, and meets the specified criteria get a booster dose. The CDC recommends booster doses for anyone 65 and over, and people 50-64 with underlying medical conditions. Those 18-49 with underlying medical conditions and anyone who is at increased risk for transmission, including healthcare workers, may also receive a booster dose. This guidance does not apply to those who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines and additional information will be released regarding those varieties when it becomes available.

Vaccines are available for free at the Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center in Kearny with no appointment necessary. Increasing rates of vaccination, and following all guidance from the CDC as it comes out is the best possible way to combat rising cases from the Delta variant and slow the spread of COVID-19. DeGise’s Vaccine Task Force urges anyone who has yet to be vaccinated to do their part to stop the spread, and anyone eligible to receive a booster shot to do so as soon as possible. More information about the County Distribution Center’s hours is available at their website.
In addition to booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine, Hudson County is also offering third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to immunocompromised people as per guidance from the CDC, and encourages anyone who is eligible to get their third dose at the County Vaccine Distribution Center. The county’s Vaccine Task Force is preparing to offer third doses to the general public at the direction of the State of New Jersey once the additional doses receive FDA approval.

About the Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center: The Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center is operated by Hudson Regional Health Commission and overseen by County Executive Tom DeGise’s Vaccine Task Force, which includes representatives from the Hudson County Improvement Authority, the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management, County Department of Roads and Public Property, the Hudson County Schools of Technology and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office. The center is located at the USS Juneau Center at 110 Hackensack in Kearny.