[ad_1]
Smokers in New Jersey and Mississippi Can Get Vaccinated Now
New Jersey just expanded its distribution of coronavirus vaccines this week, announcing that anyone 65 or older can now be vaccinated, as well as people aged 16 to 64 with certain medical conditions, including being smoking. Now, the state of Jersey joins Mississippi as the only two states currently offering the vaccine to those with underlying health conditions where “smoking” is listed as one of the “conditions,” and many find this. controversial decision.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices advises smokers to be vaccinated in phase 1c, but according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, New Jersey and Mississippi now vaccinate this group as “a smoker of any age” counts in their list of having an underlying medical problem. conditions, which also include cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
In New Jersey, The New York Times reports that no documentation of an underlying health problem is needed to prove that one has any of the conditions listed and that smokers are now moving up the vaccine priority line ahead of some essential workers – including teachers, which many find controversial. Other states plan to include smokers in the level that allows people aged 16 to 64 to get vaccinated, but only New Jersey and Mississippi are doing so now – because virtually every other state does not yet get vaccinated. as health workers and the elderly.
So let me get this right @GovMurphy people who have tried to do the healthy thing and more importantly our TEACHERS are pushed to the back of the queue for smokers, what a mess NJ is .1 Healthcare, 2 first responders, 3 teachers 4. 65 years and over then you can create your own rules https://t.co/mQkK8AtDFY
– Nicky “Blue” Fiorentino (@BlueFiorentino) January 16, 2021
“Smoking puts you at significant risk and an unwanted outcome of covid-19,” New Jersey State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said at a press conference Wednesday, defending the decision .
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the changes on Wednesday as the state catches up with vaccinations that have failed to meet vaccination targets. As of Thursday, at least 263,422 first doses had been administered in New Jersey, covering 7.5% of the priority population, according to the Washington post.
Some argue that smokers choose to put themselves at higher risk, and many others who remain at high risk due to exposure, such as teachers, should be given priority. Others believe smoking is addictive and that smokers may have a higher risk of serious illness if they test positive for COVID-19, given the assault of COVID on the lungs.
Help at Rowan Medicine Covid Vaccination Center!
The NJ has now opened vaccinations to anyone over 65 and 16 to 64 with health problems, including heart, lungs, kidneys, diabetes and smokers.
You can register for an appointment at our clinic here: https: //t.co/Hp4jZw59Fp pic.twitter.com/XJGlsqjI6C– KlicKlac (@KlicKlac_) January 14, 2021
“There is a very steep and slippery slope of judgment when we start to say that one group or the other does not deserve vaccines based on your health behavior, especially when we understand that smoking is a problem. substance use disorder, “a professor at the Oregon University of Health and Sciences, said The Washington Post.
Other states, however, have taken a different approach. The temperature reports that New Mexico and Texas made people with other high-risk medical conditions eligible for the vaccine, but smokers did not. Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, and North Carolina include smokers, but not until later stages.
Ultimately, this country is falling behind in vaccine delivery and each state can interpret the CDC’s priority schedule as it sees fit, so some argue the United States just needs to pull that shot in. as many arms as possible. It is certainly a brave new world.
[ad_2]
Source link