Last week, the township of Teaneck and Holy Name Medical Center transformed the Richard Rodda Community Center into a hub for dispensing the COVID vaccine. According to Dean Kazinci, Teaneck township manager, the feat was nothing short of amazing. “We had about two weeks lead time once the option was offered,” he said.

In an on-site interview with The Jewish Link, Kazinci credited Holy Name and its CEO, Michael Maron, for the organization’s dedication and enthusiasm. Maron and Holy Name mobilized staff, coordinated a registration and record-keeping system, organized best medical practices communication, ensured compliance with HIPAA regulations, acquired equipment and materials and performed staff training in policy and procedure. Both Maron and Kazinci believe the system can and will serve as a blueprint for other municipalities, while acknowledging, “We are still learning about how it works and how to make it better.”

Kazinci praised the Teaneck Public Works department for their crucial role in driving the renovation of the building to support the vaccine hub’s needs. They determined the electrical and technological support requirements; procured the miles of wiring, cables and other components; and installed the electrical outlets, internet and other ports needed to support the necessary computers and technology.

As soon as supplies of the vaccine became available, the Rodda Center opened its doors to essential workers.

Maron told The Jewish Link that the hub has a three-step process, beginning with online registration via the link provided on the township website, which interfaces with Holy Name Medical Center. Once people are registered, time slots are driven by availability of the vaccine, subject to a supply line managed by the state. When vaccines are available, the registration link is active. When no vaccine is available, the link is inactive. Maron described the third step as “digital confirmation, via text code and text confirmation.”

Maron offered assurances for those who do not use smartphones or computers. “Those people will receive phone calls to register and make appointments.” There will be robocalls and a hotline to assist seniors with the entire process, including the use of the senior transportation services provided by the township. Both Maron and Kazinci emphasized that the Rodda Center will remain open as late as 9 or 10 p.m., if necessary, to provide vaccines on days when it is available.

To most effectively utilize the hub, residents will need to monitor the Teaneck web page daily, even several times a day. When vaccines become available, the link will activate to register and set appointments. Sometimes the hub will know a few days in advance of an expected delivery, sometimes not. Once they know when vaccines are expected, they will open access to the link and leave it open until all available vaccines have matching appointments.

Deputy Mayor Elie Katz stated on his “Tid-Bits Talk” YouTube video last Sunday night, “We have to remember: The vaccines do not belong to Holy Name or to Teaneck.” He also noted that there are also state-mandated eligibility requirements, which they do not control.

Katz, Kazinci and Maron all noted that it is essential to minimize waste. If someone registers for the vaccine at more than one site, as many have, and then receive a vaccine, they ask that people please cancel appointments at all other sites in order to free up that vaccine for other people. Katz advised that if one can get the vaccine sooner somewhere else, that should be the priority. The system in place in Teaneck has the capacity to deliver about 1,500 vaccines per day, seven days a week, according to Kazinci.

The Rodda Center parking lot will welcome eligible vaccine recipients with assistance from the Teaneck Police Department. At the entrance, greeters will confirm every guest’s appointment, take their temperature via infrared and direct them to the vaccination center.

After registration and receiving the first vaccine, guests will be verified again and receive an appointment for the second vaccine. Everyone will receive a card with their name and the vaccination provided, and one can request a digital PDF that can be uploaded to other medical record portals if you choose. After a 15-minute waiting period to ensure no adverse initial reaction, guests will be free to exit the center.

Everyone interviewed emphasized that the information shared for this article and on the various websites is fluid. Changes and updates are constantly in flux, and Katz asked that everyone be patient as the process rolls out.

Please access the COVID vaccination registration link by visiting the Teaneck municipal website at www.teanecknj.gov

By Ellie Wolf