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Home 9 For Patients & Visitors 9 COVID-19 Vaccine

Receiving the Vaccine at St. Mary’s General Hospital

St. Mary’s General Hospital, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health, is providing community vaccinations for COVID-19. Individuals who meet current New Jersey vaccine guidelines (aged 5 years and older) may obtain the vaccine by attending a vaccine clinic on any Thursday, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Appointments are NOT required, walk-ins only. All vaccinations will be administered on-site at St. Mary’s General Hospital, located at 350 Boulevard, Passaic, NJ 07055.

All FDA approved COVID-19 Vaccines, 1st dose, 2nd dose, and boosters are available:

  • Pfizer (2-dose, 5 years and older),
  • Moderna (2-dose, 18 years and older), and
  • Johnson & Johnson (1-dose, 18 years and older).

Please note:

  • The Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine is the only Covid-19 vaccine that is FDA approved for those 5 years and older; the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are FDA approved for only those 18 years and older.
  • Thursday clinics are reserved for those age 12 years and older.
  • Saturday clinics are reserved for children age 5 to 11 years old.
  • Vaccines are free with no cost to patient, yet we encourage all to bring government ID and insurance card, if applicable. No impact on immigration status.

Receiving the Vaccine in New Jersey

To view the full list of sites, dates, and times the COVID-19 vaccine is currently being provided in New Jersey, please visit covid19.nj.gov/finder, or call 855-568-0545. Vaccinations are available at pharmacies, health clinics, and hospitals throughout the State. Free transportation to and from vaccine sites is also available by calling 2-1-1.

For more information on the how the State of New Jersey is providing the vaccine, please visit https://covidvaccine.nj.gov.

The COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool to help transition back to “normal,” but it does not mark the end of the pandemic. Continued social distancing, avoiding contact with those who have been exposed or are confirmed positive of COVID-19, properly wearing a face mask in public and practicing hand hygiene are still enforced guidelines by CDC and the State of New Jersey to help slow and stop the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

How does an mRNA vaccine work?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is called SARS-CoV-2. All viruses like SARS-CoV-2, have a unique genetic code. Scientists take part of the virus’s code, called the messenger RNA (mRNA) which tells our cells what to build, and coats them in a lipid so they can enter the body’s cell. This is what is injected into the patient. The mRNA tells the cells to make a specific part of the virus, the “spike protein.” The immune system produces antibodies and activates T-cells to destroy spike proteins so when you are exposed to the virus in the future, your immune system will recognize those spike proteins and has the antibodies and T-cells to destroy the virus. (Source: MDHHS How mRNA vaccines work)

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

The U.S. FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which have been shown to be safe and effective determined by data from large clinical trials. While vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized for use. The CDC continues to monitor adverse events through safety monitoring systems. Click here for more information on the CDC and safety monitoring. (Source: CDC, Ensuring the Safety of Vaccines & Benefits of Getting Vaccinated)

Will the vaccine give me COVID-19?

No. According to the CDC, none of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the U.D. contain the live virus that causes COVID-19.

(Source: CDC, Facts about Vaccination)

Who should not get the vaccine?

You should not get the COVID-19 vaccine if you:

  • had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of the vaccine or have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredients of the vaccine.
  • had an immediate allergic reaction, even if it was not severe, to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
  • have had an allergic reaction to PEG (polyethylene glycol) or polysorbate. Polysorbate is not in the vaccines but closely related to PEG which is included.

(Source: CDC, Allergic Reactions)

If you are pregnant, plan to be pregnant or breastfeeding, please talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated.

If you have already recovered from COVID-19, there are no recommendations by CDC on whether or not to get vaccinated. There is not enough information available to say if or for how long after COVID-19 infection someone is protected from getting it again (natural immunity). If you are currently infected with COVID-19, please wait until you have completed your quarantine period and are not experiencing symptoms before getting vaccinated.

If you have questions or concerns on whether to be vaccinated, please talk to your doctor.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

The most commonly reported side effects of the vaccines include:

  • Injection site pain and swelling
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Fever

If you experience any of these side effects, these are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away in a few days. The CDC still recommends getting the second shot even if you experienced side effects after the first shot unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you otherwise.

Each individual who is vaccinated should report their side effects in the v-safe health checker platform right away.

Each individual that is vaccinated should report their side effects in the v-safe health checker platform right away.

(Source: CDC, After Getting the Vaccine)