This time last year we first heard the term COVID-19 with warnings of a potential pandemic. A year later, as we see the initial distribution of vaccines, there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Vaccines are the most effective tool to protect our health and prevent this disease, but wearing masks, washing our hands and staying at least 6 feet away from people with whom we do not live are steps needed to stop COVID-19.
The Camden County Vaccination Center is open to administer vaccines Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Camden County College, 200 College Drive, Blackwood. For more information regarding your eligibility or to schedule an appointment, visit camdencounty.com/vaccineregistration.
The other area COVID-19 megasite locations are at the Moorestown Mall (information for this site can be found at virtua.org) and at Rowan College of South Jersey in Sewell (information for this location can be found at rcsj.edu/vaccine).
Other vaccination sites, such as CVS Pharmacies, are being announced. For more information, check the Camden County website at camdencounty.com/service/covid-19-updates-and-preparations/vaccine-information/.
The COVID-19 vaccines may cause side effects such as sore muscles, fatigue or a mild fever. These reactions suggest the vaccine is working to teach your body how to fight COVID-19. For most people, the side effects will not last longer than a day or two.
Even after getting your vaccine, continue wearing a mask, washing your hands often and maintaining social distancing. The vaccine’s protection does not begin immediately, but often takes a couple of weeks before its full benefits take effect.
If you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please get tested. Multiple COVID-19 test locations are in Voorhees Township and throughout Camden County. Testing facilities can be found on the Voorhees website, voorheesnj.com.
Be aware that a federal law took effect on Monday, February 1 that now mandates masks to be worn at all federal buildings as well as on all public transit vehicles, including airplanes and in the back of cabs.
We will get through this together.
