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Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Announce “Grateful for the Shot” Vaccination Events to Reduce Vaccine Hesitancy in a Trusted, Fun, and Community Atmosphere

05/21/2021

This Weekend, Fourteen Houses of Worship Across the State Will Host Community Vaccination Sites to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations

Additional Events Expected Across the State in the Coming Weeks

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy today announced that fourteen houses of worship will be hosting a “Grateful for the Shot” COVID-19 vaccination site this weekend, May 21, 22, and 23, to reduce vaccine hesitancy and ramp up vaccination efforts across New Jersey. In partnership with the New Jersey Governor’s Office, the New Jersey First Lady’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, and New Jersey faith leaders, the “Grateful for the Shot” initiative brings vaccinations to congregations in targeted communities and municipalities over the next several weekends. 

Each event will have a “block party” feel in a trusted and community atmosphere with a mix of food, music, and prizes in order to break down barriers to accessing the vaccine for individuals and families. “Grateful for the Shot” is part of “Operation Jersey Summer”, the statewide public awareness campaign aimed at vaccinating all eligible individuals who live, work, or study in New Jersey against COVID-19. The community events at houses of worship are funded by the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. 

“Our diverse group of faith leaders are trusted members of the community, and trust is critical in winning our fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “For the last several months, our houses of worship have generously turned their sanctuaries and community rooms into vaccination centers for their congregants. Through our work with the New Jersey Department of Health, and in partnership with the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, we are building on these efforts and making the vaccination process easy and accessible for our underserved communities.”

“From maternal and infant health, to food insecurity, to housing, and more, New Jersey’s faith community has been an incredible network of support long before the COVID-19 pandemic began,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy, Founding Chair, New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. “Now, our ‘Grateful for the Shot’ program allows us to continue our partnership with houses of worship to ensure equitable access to vaccines in many underserved communities. By opening their doors for COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics and sustaining our spirits through months of isolation, our communities of faith are key partners in this effort, and we are grateful to have them in New Jersey’s fight to end this pandemic.”

“Working with trusted interfaith partners throughout the state, we have been able to reach deeper into communities to make COVID-19 vaccines available," said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. "We are 'grateful' to all involved in this important endeavor to increase accessibility to the vaccine allowing more residents gain protection against the virus.”

“Over the past year, the NJPRF has successfully harnessed the indomitable Jersey spirit to support our residents throughout the pandemic,” said Josh Weinreich, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. “As New Jersey works to further increase vaccination among all eligible individuals, we are thrilled to be a part of ‘Grateful for the Shot’ across the state. The events and the commitment and dedication from the participating houses of worship once again showcases the best of New Jersey as we approach this critical vaccine milestone” 

Friday, May 21, 2021
Essex County
New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange
144 Norman St, East Orange, NJ 07017
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 22, 2021
Burlington County
Church of the Good Shepherd 
110 Buckingham Dr, Willingboro, NJ 08046
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 23, 2021
Bergen County
Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church
129 William St., Englewood, NJ 07631 
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Camden County
New Beginnings/CEA/PBCIP
Farnham Park, 1648 Baird Blvd., Camden, NJ 08103
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cumberland County
Shiloh Baptist Church 
1837 Northeast Boulevard, Vineland, NJ 08360
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Essex County
Dominion Hope of Glory
337 Avon Avenue, Newark, NJ 07108
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Church 
12 State Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Gloucester County
Victory In Christ Christian Center 
1055 Delsea Drive, Westville, NJ 08093
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hudson County
Wallace Temple AME Zion Church 
26 West 16th Street Bayonne, NJ 07002
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Ocean County
All Saints Episcopal Church
La Casa De La Tia Restaurant
202 Main Street, Lakewood, NJ
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Passaic County
Mt Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and Bethel AME Church Passaic
163 Autumn Street, Passaic, NJ 07055
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Somerset County
The United Methodist Church of Bound Brook 
150 West Union Ave., Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Union County
Hollywood Blue Ribbon & African Diaspora for Justice
256 Hollywood Ave. Hillside, NJ 07205
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
New Zion Baptist Church  
800-822 Flora Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Time: 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.