COVID-19 Vaccinations

Update: April 13, 2021"COVID-19 Vaccine Update" - Livingston Health Dept. Background close-up photo of vial and need

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been paused by the New Jersey Department of Health following recommendations from the FDA and the CDC. (Read more here: Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine) 

Therefore, home vaccination visits by the Livingston Health Department will be postponed until further notice. 

Those who have existing appointments will be contacted by the Health Department.

IMPORTANT: You must register before going to the vaccination site

Register online via the Essex County system or NJ Vaccine Scheduling System, or contact directly: NJ Vaccine Locations for Eligible Recipients or Vaccine Finder or NJ Vaccine Appointment Finder

These FAQs from the Essex County Board of Commissioners (PDF) provide information that can help you in making a vaccine appointment.

Assistance with Registering 

If you need assistance with registering for the vaccine or would like more information about the various locations that are nearby, you may contact the state's toll free COVID-19 vaccination hotline or complete an online form.

1. Call 855-568-0545

2. Or complete an online form at covid19.nj.gov/vaccinehelp

The hotline is available to assist callers daily from 8:00am-8:00pm and can provide assistance to callers in multiple languages.

The NJ Vaccine Call Center has a phone line for those who are 65 and older to assist with registration and scheduling appointments at certain site locations which will include ShopRites and Walmarts.  The hotline is available from 8:00am-8:00pm.

1. Call 856-249-7007

Vaccine Bot NJ provides live updates on newly opened appointments found in New Jersey: What's Available?

Video: How to Get a Vaccine through Essex County

Tips by Jeanne Silberman; Production by Natalie Silberman

Eligibility

All individuals listed as being in Phase 1A are eligible to make vaccination appointments. 

As of January 7, 2021, police officers and fire professionals, paid and unpaid, are also eligible to receive the vaccine. 

As of January 14, 2021, Individuals at High Risk in Phase 1B will be eligible to receive the vaccine. This includes the following groups:

  • Adults who are 65 and older
  • Individuals between the ages of 16-64, who have medical conditions as defined by the CDC who are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. More information about individuals with medical conditions that fall into this category can be found here.

As of March 15, 2021, Individuals in the following categories are eligible to receive the vaccine...

  • Pre-K-12th grade, educators and support staff
  • Childcare workers (in registered and licensed settings)
  • Local and public transportation workers
  • Public safety workers who are not sworn law enforcement or fire professionals, including probation officers and fire safety inspectors
  • Migrant farm workers
  • Tribal community members
  • Individuals who are experiencing homelessness, including those in shelters and those in domestic violence shelters
  • Additional individuals between the ages of 16-64, with certain medical conditions who are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. More information regarding these conditions can be found here.

As of March 29, 2021, Individuals in the following categories will be eligible to receive the vaccine...

  • Food production, agriculture and distribution
  • Eldercare and support
  • Warehousing and logistics
  • Social services support staff
  • Elections personnel
  • Hospitality
  • Medical supply chain
  • Postal and shipping services
  • Clergy
  • Judicial system

As of April 5, 2021, Individuals in the following categories will be eligible to receive the vaccine...

  • Individuals who are 55-64 years of age
  • Individuals who are 16 years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Workers in the following positions will also be eligible...

  • Communications, IT, and Media
  • Laundry Services
  • Real Estate, Building, and Home Services
  • Retail Financial Institutions
  • Sanitation Workers
  • Utility Workers
  • Higher Education, including educators and support staff
  • Librarians and library support staff

As of April 19, 2021....

  • All individuals age 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination

More information on the phase categories can be found here.

All phases and determinations are made by the State of New Jersey based on CDC recommendations, and vaccines are distributed by Essex County — not by local municipalities.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available; however, quantities are limited. Until vaccines can be produced in large quantities, it will be first be given to priority groups of individuals. See "Eligibility: Phases" below for more information.

Residents are encouraged to visit Essex County's informational website, which also includes links to schedule COVID tests and vaccinations:

EssexCOVID.org

Those who are not yet eligible to schedule a vaccination appointment can pre-register via the State's COVID-19 website here:

covidvaccine.nj.gov

Photo of Sears building at Livingston Mall - 112 Eisenhower Pkwy, Livingston

COVID-19 vaccinations have begun at various vaccination centers throughout Essex County and New Jersey. The vaccination center location for Livingston residents will be at Livingston Mall, the former Sears building, located at 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston. This location will be open Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, by appointment only. At this time, only adults aged 18 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Getting vaccinated can help protect you and those around you from getting COVID-19. Measures such as wearing a mask and social distancing have helped control the spread; being vaccinated against COVID-19 can further help limit the spread of the virus.

View Essex County COVID-19 Vaccination Locations flyer (PDF)

Eligibility: Phases

Initially, the vaccine will only be available in a limited supply; therefore, the vaccine will be administered in Phase groups. The first group of individuals eligible for vaccinations are health care workers and long-term care facility residents. Overall, residents will be eligible to receive the vaccine based on the following Phase categories:

  • Phase 1A – Healthcare workers and long-term care facilities
  • Phase 1B – Other essential workers and other high risk individuals (more information coming soon), phase 1B also includes adults 75 and older
  • Phase 1C – Additional essential workers, Adults 65 and over, and those with underlying medical conditions
  • Phase 2 – General public

Vaccine phases - NJDOH

Image: New Jersey's Phased Approach to COVID-19 Vaccination (PDF)

Appointments and Cost

The Moderna vaccine will be administered at the Sears location vaccination center and must be dispensed in two doses. The two doses must be given a minimum of 28 days apart. 

Residents will be asked to provide their medical insurance information and their insurance provider will be billed $16.94 for the first dose and $28.39 for the second dose. If a resident does not have insurance, the cost of the vaccine will be covered by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provide Relief Fund. There will be no out-of-pocket expenses charged to residents.

Anyone interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine must make an appointment. To make an appointment visit EssexCOVID.org or call 973-877-8456. Since the vaccine is administered in two doses, you will be scheduled for two appointments in order to ensure receiving both doses within the proper time frame.

Essex County Vaccination Centers_Volunteers NeededVolunteers Needed

Essex County is seeking individuals who would be interested in volunteering to assist at the vaccination centers. The centers are anticipated to operate Mondays through Saturdays from 9 am – 5 pm for about three to six months. Each site will be able to vaccinate 1,000 people per day.

Volunteers at any of the sites will assist with administrative roles. In addition, volunteers with a nursing/medical background are in need to assist with inoculation. All volunteers will receive full PPE and priority to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if they choose.  

Every effort will be made to have volunteers assigned to the vaccine center location within their municipality. In addition to the Livingston site, other vaccine center locations in Essex County include Newark, West Orange, and West Caldwell.

If you are interested in assisting at a vaccination center, please send your name and contact information to vaccinehelp@admin.essexcountynj.org. 

More Information

More information about COVID-19 vaccination is available at the New Jersey Department of Health website at nj.gov/health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at cdc.gov.