New Jersey residents over age 64 can start getting vaccinated on Jan. 14.
TRENTON – Gov. Phil Murphy today announced two additional categories of New Jersey residents eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 14, all New Jersey residents ages 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.
Those conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, obesity and severe obesity, sickle cell disease, smoking, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals who are pregnant and those in an immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant are also eligible but should follow CDC guidance and first discuss vaccination with their medical provider before receiving the vaccine.
“Over the last several months, our Administration has built the infrastructure and laid the groundwork to support New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination demand,” the governor said in a release. “Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are ready to begin ramping up our vaccination efforts exponentially and are confident in our ability to provide every willing New Jersey resident with a vaccine when it is available and they are eligible.”
“Expanding access to vaccine to individuals in these categories is critical as we know they are at greater risk for severe COVID-19 illness and death,” Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said. “Eighty percent of COVID-19 deaths in New Jersey have been among those 65 and older and overall 67 percent of deaths had one or more underlying conditions reported.”
For more information about statewide vaccination site locations and to preregister for a vaccination visit https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine
