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New Jersey will give smokers access to the COVID vaccine before the general public, as they are more likely to get seriously ill from it, health officials say.
- NJ gives smokers of all ages access to the COVID-19 vaccine as well as those over 65 and those with underlying health conditions
- This means 2 million people were pushed to the front line for the shootings
- It is not clear how the state plans to verify whether a person is a smoker or not
- They do not ask non-smokers over 65 – the other eligible category – for proof of their eligibility
- Many say it’s unfair that smokers in New Jersey have access to vaccine before teachers
New Jersey is giving smokers access to the COVID-19 vaccine before the general public because, according to its health officials, smokers are more likely to become seriously ill and faster.
There are two million smokers in New Jersey. As of Wednesday, they are now eligible for the vaccine with people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions.
Health officials have defended the decision, saying their data proves that people who smoke fall ill with COVID faster than those who do not.
It is not known how they will check whether or not a person is a smoker when they present for the vaccine.
To date, no large-scale studies have been conducted on how smokers are most affected by COVID.
In fact, early research indicated that smokers were unaffected by COVID – a finding that left scientists perplexed.
Last week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy visited a COVID-19 vaccination site in Rockaway. New Jersey smokers have access to vaccine on Wednesday
Outside the Morris County vaccination site in Rockaway, NJ on Friday, January 8, 2021. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy visits the opening of the Morris County vaccination site
In a statement defending the New Jersey decision, the state Department of Health’s director of communications Donna Leusner said, “ Nicotine is one of the most powerful addictions.
“Smoking puts people at a higher risk for more serious illnesses. If a person who smokes has COVID, they get sicker much faster.
“ Smoking puts you at significant risk of an adverse outcome from COVID-19 and there are 2 million smokers in New Jersey who fall into these categories, ” the State Department of Health commissioner said Tuesday. Judy Persichilli announcing the decision.
Now 4.75 million in New Jersey are eligible to receive the vaccine.
“The state has only received 500,000 vaccines. So far, he has administered over 123,000.
The NJ Department of Health has not shared the data it has on how COVID-19 affects smokers more than anyone.
The decision has been the subject of much criticism on social media
Health officials have defended the decision, saying their data proves that people who smoke fall ill with COVID faster than those who do not.
The CDC has never shared data on how it affects smokers.
The decision to include smokers outraged many who said it was not fair to give them access to the vaccine before teachers.
“When will teachers in the NJ be eligible for the COVID vaccine?” We were pushed back into line, behind 2 million smokers, ”a reviewer asked after the announcement.
“ So all of you are going to prioritize smokers who clearly don’t care about their health to start getting the vaccine first because they are now at higher risk after knowingly choosing a poor lifestyle choice that would make them more risky?
“Make it meaningful,” said another.
New York Times reporter Mark Mazzetti tweeted: “ My parents in New Jersey are technically eligible for the vaccine today, but the state is also extending eligibility today to … heavy smokers.
“ I hope they line up before the guy who proves his eligibility by showing a receipt for a box of Winstons. ”
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