New Jersey gets smokers vaccinated before essential workers



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After the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced sweeping changes to the rollout of the COVID vaccine in the country on Jan.12, governors took action to implement desired fixes at the level of the country. ‘State. States are free to interpret HHS deployment suggestions as they see fit. More recently, New Jersey has opened up vaccinations to residents over 65 and anyone 16 and over with underlying illnesses. This expansion is in line with the immunization programs of many other states, but Gov. Phil murphy had to defend its choice to add smokers to the list of people with a disease that gives them access to priority vaccination. This means New Jersey will vaccinate smokers before essential workers. Read on to learn more about the vaccine rollout in this state and for more information on vaccines, if you are taking these over-the-counter medications you should stop before you get vaccinated.

Doctor wearing protective face shield injecting COVID-19 vaccine into colleague
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On January 13, Murphy announced the addition of two new categories of residents who will be eligible to receive a COVID vaccine as of January 14. The update includes seniors and anyone 16 years of age and older “with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that increase the risk of serious illness from the virus.”

The state is targeting people who have had the most severe reactions to COVID. “It is essential to expand access to the vaccine to people in these categories, because we know they are at greater risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19,” said the health commissioner of the New Jersey Judith Persichilli added in the declaration. “Eighty percent of deaths from COVID-19 in New Jersey have been among people 65 and older and overall, 67 percent of deaths had one or more underlying conditions reported.” And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Female doctor at home visit to administer vaccine to elderly patient
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According to Murphy’s statement, the conditions that qualify you for vaccination in New Jersey during this phase include “cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD. [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], Down syndrome, heart disease, obesity and severe obesity, sickle cell anemia, smoking and type 2 diabetes mellitus. “

Additionally, those who are pregnant or immunocompromised due to an organ transplant are also eligible for a vaccine now. However, the statement advised people in those positions to follow CDC guidelines and discuss the vaccination with their personal provider before sitting down for the shot. And to learn more about the complications of the vaccine, Dr. Fauci has just given this warning about the side effects of the COVID vaccine.

Healthcare worker injecting COVID vaccine into the arm of a female patient at the medical clinic.
HRAUN / iStock

New Jersey expanded priority immunization to include first responders such as police and firefighters on Jan.6. However, Murphy failed to vaccinate other essential workers, including teachers, restaurant workers, and grocery store staff. From now on, smokers will be vaccinated before these workers.

During Murphy and Persichilli’s press briefing, they defended their decision to include smokers. “Smoking puts you at significant risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19, and there are 2 million smokers in New Jersey who fall into these categories,” Persichilli said in the Jan. 13 briefing. And for more urgent vaccine information, find out the only 2 people who shouldn’t get the COVID vaccine, according to an FDA official.

Elderly woman is about to receive Covid-19 vaccine
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The newer groups for vaccination join previous people in phase 1A who were already eligible for the vaccine. New Jersey has vaccinated healthcare workers, residents and staff in long-term care facilities and first responders. Surprisingly, Persichilli said, “No documentation on medical condition or your age will be required” at the time of vaccination. And to learn more about the future of the pandemic, the CEO of Moderna just made this chilling prediction on COVID.

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