New Jersey on Thursday opened the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine to include residents aged 65 and over and those aged 16 and over who have at least one chronic medical condition, which the state said includes smoking and obesity, but teachers and other essential professionals who do not fall into this category will still have to wait.
In addition, the state will not require residents to provide documented evidence of any medical conditions or age.
Other chronic medical conditions now eligible for vaccine include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Down syndrome, heart disease, organ transplant patients, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and type 2 diabetes. These New Jersey residents join paid or unpaid people who work or volunteer in a health setting, residents of long-term care facilities or other congregated settings, first-aid workers and those over 65 to be eligible for the coveted vaccine.
“Expanding access to [the] vaccine for individuals in these categories is critical as we know that they are at increased risk for serious COVID-19 disease and death, “said Judith Persichilli, the state health commissioner, in a press release published on Wednesday.” 80% of deaths from COVID-19 in New Jersey occurred among people aged 65 and over, and overall, 67% of deaths had one or more underlying diseases reported. “
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The expansion of the state to include those with underlying diseases, which includes smoking, is in line with the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for those who are considered at increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease, but it doesn’t go well with some residents.
“How is smoking on this list ?? Really ?? So your [SIC] go [SIC] give a vaccine to a smoker instead of someone who is an essential employee who is most at risk of infection ?? Does not make sense, ” a Twitter user wrote.
However, Persichilli at a news conference added on Wednesday that the state has more than 2 million smokers, making it the largest risk group. She said that 1.2 million people have already signed up for the vaccine on the state’s website.
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More than 387,840 doses of the vaccine have been administered in New Jersey, with an overwhelming majority of recipients being women. According to state data, 63% of beneficiaries are women, while 37% are men. Almost half of the recipients are White with 46% and residents aged 30-49 represent the most vaccinated with 36%.
The state said it expects more groups to become eligible in the coming weeks, as it opens up the distribution to additional essential frontline workers, other essential workers and the general population in Phase 1B, Phase 1C and Phase 2, respectively.