Everyone age 5 and older in New Jersey who have completed their primary series is now eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot.
The announcement on May 19 from the New Jersey Department Of Health comes after the recommendation from the federal Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) to expand the Pfizer COVID-19 booster to 5- through 11-year-olds. The new cohort is eligible for a booster dose five months after completing their primary series.
“With the uptick in cases and hospitalizations, I encourage anyone who is not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated today to help protect yourself, your family and your community,” said Heath Commissioner Judith Persichilli in a press statement announcing the new eligibility. “Everyone who is eligible for a booster or recommended for a second booster should also get it today for a safer and healthier Summer.”
New Guidance for 50 and older
Persichilli noted the CDC strengthened its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least four months after their first.
“Vaccines have proven to be a safe and effective weapon against serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths,” said the commissioner. “Our vaccination sites are prepared to incorporate this eligibility expansion immediately (and) we continue to work to prepare for the anticipated roll-out of vaccines for those under age 5 once approved.
COVID-19 cases:
New daily PCR cases: 5,103; Probable Cases: 1,226
Total Cases: 2,341,250 (2,017,333 PCR cases, 330,049 probable cases)
New Confirmed Deaths: 8 (4 probable death, 33,603 total deaths)
Rate of Transmission: 1.28, down from 1.29
Percent Positivity: 18.9% as of May 15; by region, the rate was 18.0% in the North, 20.8% in the Central region and 17.6% in the South
By County:
Bergen County: 601 New Cases, 138 Probable Cases, 3,141 deaths, 325 probable deaths
Essex County: 442 New Cases, 88 Probable Cases, 3,302 deaths, 314 probable deaths
Hudson County: 458 New Cases, 81 Probable Cases, 2,502 total deaths, 221 probable deaths
Morris County: 375 New Cases, 87 Probable Cases, 1,249 deaths, 305 probable deaths
Passaic County: 263 New Cases, 77 Probable Cases, 2,135 deaths, 204 probable deaths
Sussex County: 95 New Cases, 19 Probable Cases, 387 deaths, 89 probable deaths
Warren County: 71 New Cases, 15 Probable Case, 316 deaths, 27 probable deaths
Hospitals
Hospitalizations: 823 (294 North, 299 Central and 230 South)
Patients in intensive care units: 102
Patients on ventilators: 40
Patients discharged: 176
The state dashboard showed all 71 hospitals in the state reporting
Long-term Care Facilities
Facilities currently reporting one case: 323 (2,713 overall)
Current number of residents: 3,482 (49,924 overall)
Current number of staffers: 3,144 (39,908 overall)
Number of Deaths: 9,049 overall (8,603 reported by facilities, 139 staff deaths)
Vaccine
Total number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in New Jersey: 14,488,253 (13,983,771 in-state, plus an additional 504,482 administered out-of-state)
Fully Vaccinated: 6,897,380 (6,693,977 in state and another 203,403 out of state). By county, 728,352 in Bergen County, 599,222 in Essex, 534,789 in Hudson, 389,604 in Morris, 362,989 in Passaic, 93,543 in Sussex, and 61,426 in Warren.
Booster Shots: 3,764,788 (2,071,404 Pfizer, 1,621,544 Moderna and 71,840 Johnson & Johnson)
