NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy expanded the types of groups that are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines.
Health officials broke down the populace into phases based on how likely they are to come into contact with the virus, how severe the virus is to that particular group, and how necessary an occupation is to society. This is why health workers and those who live in long-term care like nursing homes were in the first phase.
This was coined Phase 1A. Phase 1B included such groups as police officers and firefighters who have already been allowed vaccinations.
These phases were guidelines, and New Jersey has been adding groups as vaccines become available.
As of March 15, the following groups will be able to be vaccinated:
- Educators (teachers and support staff) in schools from kindergarten to 12th grade
- Child care workers
- Public and local transportation workers
- Public safety workers
- Migrant farm workers
- Members of tribal communities
- Homeless and residents of shelters
As of March 29, the following groups can also be vaccinated:
- Food production and distribution; agriculture
- Eldercare and support
- Warehousing and logistics
- Social services support staff
- Elections personnel
- Hospitality
- Medical supply chain
- Postal and shipping
- Clergy
- Judicial system
Gov. Murphy said that many of these people have already been included in another category. Residents who are 75 and older who have been having trouble accessing the sites will be given special assistance.
He said that as of March 1, there had been more than 2 million vaccinations in New Jersey. Of those, 690,000 were second doses.
The Pfizer and Moderna doses take two inoculations. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is a one-shot, has been approved for use in New Jersey. The state will be receiving 70,000 doses in the initial rollout.
Critics have said that there aren’t enough vaccines available for those currently allowed to receive them.
