The following information was sent out by the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities on January 15, 2021, and appears unedited below. Please note that The Arc of New Jersey is NOT the author of this information. We are only forwarding it as a service to individuals and families who may not be on the Division's subscription list.
!! IMPORTANT UPDATE !!
 
The Division of Developmental Disabilities is pleased to share a new option for vaccination of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who reside in group homes and supervised apartments licensed by the Department of Human Services. 
 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have partnered with Walmart Pharmacy to provide a targeted vaccine allocation through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership.  
 
This closed-POD (point-of-dispending) program will launch late in the week of January 18, 2021, and will consist of 12 Walmart Pharmacy sites, each setting aside up to 12 hours per week for vaccinations of I/DD residents only. The directors at each Walmart site will work directly with residential providers to schedule vaccine appointments for their residents. 
 
The Walmart COVID-19 Vaccine Closed-POD Program will be supplied a dedicated allocation from New Jersey’s vaccine supply. Agencies that were included in the Quest COVID-19 Testing Program are eligible and Walmart will contact agencies directly to begin the process. Agencies that are enrolled in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program are not part of this program and should continue working with their designated pharmacy provider.
 
Residential providers, residents and families should review the Walmart COVID-19 Closed-POD Program for Residents with IDD in Congregate Residential Settings Licensed by the Department of Human Services overview document for more details on logistics and pharmacy assignment.
 
Please note the closed-POD option is not the only way for an individual with IDD residing in a congregate setting to be vaccinated. Vaccine supply in New Jersey remains limited, so agencies are advised to exercise multiple methods to receive a vaccine. Residential staff and residents are also able to register for and receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any of the COVID-19 Vaccine Locations for Eligible Recipients. For a complete list of vaccine-eligible categories of individuals, please review the information on Who is eligible for vaccination in New Jersey?

 
Thank you.
 
Jonathan Seifried
Assistant Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Visit The Arc COVID-19 Updates & Information Web Site

During these extraordinary times, we at The Arc of New Jersey are working diligently to provide support, answers, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the community. Please know that our staff is working, some remotely, and will try to help in any way they can. Please call or email us as needed, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Don't forget that valuable information can be accessed through our fact sheets and recorded webinars which you can find here and here. Also, be sure to check our COVID-19 Updates & Information page for news and resources impacting people with I/DD during this time. This is a challenging period, but our organization is here to support you as best we can in the days and weeks ahead. You can also click here to download our new infographic detailing the services we offer.
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