The first of two major expansions this month of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in New Jersey begins on Monday with transportation workers and several other groups who can now schedule injections, although appointments remain difficult to get.
Governor Phil Murphy announced the expansion earlier this month and initially included teachers and daycare workers in Monday’s group, but they were moved to immediate eligibility last week after a federal mandate.
President Joe Biden said on Thursday in a national speech that he plans to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1 and leave the country “closer to normal” by the fourth of July.
People who can schedule a scene in New Jersey starting today include, according to the state’s website:
- Motor vehicle Commission officials
- NJ Transit workers and other transport workers
- Public and local transport workers, including buses, taxis, hitchhikers and airport staff
- All public security personnel who have not yet been eligible, such as parole officers, child protection workers and parole officers.
- Tribal community members
- Migrant agricultural workers
- People who are homeless and people living in homeless shelters or domestic violence shelters
In addition, the medical conditions that make people between the ages of 16 and 64 expand to include the following:
- Asthma (moderate to severe)
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Neurological conditions, such as dementia
- Liver disease
- Overweight (BMI over 25)
- Pulmonary fibrosis (with damaged or scarred lung tissue)
- Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Note: Individuals who are in an immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) due to blood or bone marrow transplantation, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids or use of other drugs for immune weakening are also eligible, but must follow CDC guidelines and first discuss vaccination with your doctor before receiving the vaccine.
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The list that was previously included:
- Health professionals
- People who live and work in long-term care institutions and high-risk congregational facilities
- First responders
- People aged 65 and over
- People aged 16 to 64 who have certain medical conditions
These medical conditions include:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down’s syndrome
- Heart problems such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30 kg / m2 or greater, but <40 kg / m2)
- Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg / m2)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Smoke
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Note: Individuals who are pregnant and those in an immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) of solid organ transplantation are also eligible, but must follow CDC guidelines and first discuss vaccination with their doctor before receiving the vaccine.
At the end of the month, as of March 29, essential frontline workers in the following categories are also eligible for vaccination:
- Food production, agriculture and food distribution;
- Eldercare and support
- Warehousing and logistics
- Social Services Support Team
- Election staff
- Hospitality
- Medical supply chain
- Postal and remittance services
- Clergy
- Judicial system
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Matt Arco can be contacted at [email protected].