Ocean County Offering Rides for Seniors to Get Vaccinations

As the Ocean County Health Department continues to work on providing a mobile vaccination unit to bring vaccines to people including the homebound, a new solution should help bridge some of the concern with getting vaccinated.

Ocean County Commissioners announced on Monday that the county will be providing free transportation for seniors 60 and older as well as those with disabilities to be able to get to a vaccination clinic through Ocean Ride.

“Many of our seniors and individuals with disabilities are already familiar with Ocean Ride, using it to get to health care and other appointments. We want to make getting a vaccine as convenient as possible and if a lack of transportation is what stands between our seniors and the disabled from getting that important shot, we want to remedy that," Ocean County Commissioner Director Gary Quinn said in a statement. “Once you have made an appointment to get your vaccine, contact Ocean Ride and we can set up the door to door transportation for you. Our drivers and the Ocean Ride staff are ready to help in this ongoing effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.”

If you are 60 or older or a resident with a disability and need to get to a vaccination clinic appointment and need a ride, you can call 732-736-8989, extension 1, which will run between 9AM and 3PM during the week.

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Commissioner Quinn says with more vaccination clinics opening up, more needs to be done to ensure everyone who wishes to get vaccinated, can get vaccinated.

“The Ocean County Health Department is also operating vaccination clinics at RWJ Barnabas Health Care Arena at Toms River High School North, Southern Regional Middle School, Stafford Township and Manchester Township Elementary School by appointment only, for Ocean County residents,” Quinn said. “It doesn’t matter which organization you make the appointment with in Ocean County, we will get you there.”

When you're on the bus to and from the vaccination clinic, you'll needs to wear a face-mask and be socially distant.

“Ocean Ride continues to help make a difference in the lives of our seniors and disabled residents by getting them to where they need to go,” Quinn said. “This is a large county – more than 600 square miles - with limited public transportation opportunities. Getting our residents vaccinated will help enhance their quality of life. It’s imperative they have the transportation to get there.”

Ocean County Health officials continue working towards implementing a homebound vaccination plan, which is somewhat dependent on vaccine supply coming from the state and not being taken away by the state.

"We want that in our arson, so to speak, to be able to offer to the residents, that we can take it up in different parts of the county," Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Dan Regenye previously told Townsquare Media News. "We have the plan to be able to expand and we're trying to get more partners and agencies to assist us in that effort."