Updated 4/20/2021
COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available to SONJ!
Special Olympics New Jersey, partnering with Rite Aid, Wawa, The Pingry School, AtlantiCare, and the Gloucester County Mega Vaccination Center, announces COVID-19 vaccines for athletes and caregivers at several locations throughout the state.
These partnerships will allow athletes and caregivers who choose to be vaccinated to receive their vaccines at specific sites and dedicated times. Caregivers with underage children are eligible for the vaccine. One (1) caregiver per athlete.
Appointments are required to ensure that appropriate New Jersey vaccine requirements are met and that wait-times are as short as possible. To schedule a vaccine, please visit the registration site listed below each location.
The vaccines will be offered on the following dates, locations, and times. Click an option below for details and to register.
April 10-May 31
Atlantic City Convention Center
1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
8:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.
This site offers the Pfizer version.
Must be at least 16-years-old to receive vaccine.
April 12-May 31
Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays ONLY
Rowan College of South Jersey
1400 Tanyard Rd, Sewell, NJ 08080
4:30p.m. - 5:30p.m.
This site offers the Pfizer version.
Must be at least 16-years-old to receive vaccine.
Special Olympics New Jersey does not require anyone to get vaccinated in order to participate in SONJ activities.
As a reminder, no one will be charged for any vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
In a continual effort to provide the latest information, SONJ will provide links to answer some of the questions you may have regarding the vaccines. This is NOT an endorsement or suggestion that you get the vaccine. All decisions should be made individually with the advice of your family and your physician. The information below is compiled from Federal, State and local agencies and organizations that support individuals with intellectual disabilities.
SONJ will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
Expand each for full details
New Jersey is currently providing vaccines for many groups of individuals and is adding new groups constantly. Click on this link frequently to see the most updated information This includes Healthcare personnel, long-term care residents and staff, first responders and Individuals at High Risk. - https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/who-is-eligible-for-vaccination-in-new-jersey-who-is-included-in-the-vaccination-phases.
No. The 3 approved vaccines do not contain the live virus which causes COVID-19. – https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/how-do-covid-19-vaccines-work
Probably! As of now, experts do not know how long someone is protected after getting sick. https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/testing-and-treatment/should-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-if-im-pregnant-what-if-i-have-a-weakened-immune-system-or-already-had-covid.
The current medical information shows that the vaccine protects most people by creating an immune response without making you sick. – https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/how-do-covid-19-vaccines-work
The vaccine is not able to alter or change a person’s genetic makeup (DNA). – https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/how-do-covid-19-vaccines-work
After receiving an injection of a COVID-19 vaccine, you will be observed for 15 minutes by healthcare staff to monitor any side effects. Observation may be longer (30 minutes) if you have a history of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction).
Like many vaccines, a COVID-19 vaccine may cause some temporary discomfort. In addition to a sore arm, side effects of the vaccines may include tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, injection site swelling, injection site redness, nausea, feeling unwell, and swollen lymph nodes. There is a small chance that vaccines could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour, which is why all individuals should be observed for at least 15 minutes after vaccination and 30 minutes if they have a history of a severe allergic reaction due to any cause. - https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/are-covid-19-vaccines-safe-and-effective-how-were-they-tested-and-approved
No one will have to pay for the vaccine. Your insurance may be billed, however, there will be no cost to the individual. – https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/assistance-and-benefits/is-the-covid-19-vaccine-free-what-if-i-dont-have-insurance
Maybe. You may be able to ask which vaccine your site is giving.
You currently need 2 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. You should get your second dose within 2-3 weeks from the first dose and it should be the same vaccine as the first one. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only 1 shot.
Once you register and receive an email to schedule an appointment, you can use this list to find a site. – https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/covid-19-vaccine-locations-for-eligible-recipients
The NJ COVID-19 Information Hub. https://covid19.nj.gov/ – This is the State of New Jersey’s central hub for all information regarding the pandemic, vaccines, travel, and workplace restrictions.
COVID-19 Vaccine information – https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine – you can register for the vaccine, determine eligibility, and find out where the vaccines will be distributed.
The Arc of New Jersey webpage with additional resources and videos for individuals with I/DD, DSP’s, and families – https://www.arcnj.org/information/covid-19-updates-information/covid-19-vaccine-information.html