75 Percent Of Eligible New Jersey Residents Are Vaccinated Against COVID-19

NEW JERSEY — More than 75 percent of eligible New Jersey residents are now vaccinated against COVID-19. New Jersey is only one of seven states in the United States to hit this benchmark.

"We crossed the threshold of all eligible individuals ages 12 and older who live, work or study in New Jersey who has completed a vaccination course," said Murphy during a news conference on Wednesday.

He added that out of the seven states, "the others are all meaningfully smaller in terms of population."

Looking at the breakthrough cases from Sept. 20 to 25:

• There were 3,000 positive tests out of the 13,507 statewide
• 39 hospitalizations out of the 883 statewide
• No deaths of the fully vaccinated people versus 140 deaths from COVID this week for those unvaccinated.

"Overall and even through the Delta surge, the evidence continues to show that the vaccines are overwhelmingly powerful in not only fighting this illness but keeping those who are fully vaccinated, who do contract the coronavirus, from a developing a case of COVID that would lead to a hospital stay or, please God no, a death," said Murphy.

In other words, Murphy said the vaccine turns COVID-19 into a more easily beatable illness.

Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli added that 84 percent of eligible residents have received at least one vaccine dose as of Wednesday.

Currently, the vaccine is available to only those ages 12 years and older. To find a vaccine location click here.

As of Wednesday, more than 216,000 New Jersey residents have received a booster or third dose of the vaccine out of the more than 1 million eligible right now, said Persichilli.

Booster Shot Eligibility

• Ages 65+ and Long-Term Care Residents: People who are 65 years and older or who live in long-term care settings should get a Pfizer booster, at least six months after their second Pfizer shot.
• Ages 50+ With High-Risk Health Conditions: People who are ages 50-64 with underlying medical conditions (listed below) should get a Pfizer booster, at least six months after their second Pfizer shot.
• Ages 18+ With High-Risk Health Conditions: People who are ages 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions (listed below) may get a Pfizer booster, at least six months after their second Pfizer shot, and should consider their individual risks and benefits.
• Ages 18+ in Jobs or Settings With Increased COVID-19 Risk: People who are ages 18-64 years who are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of where they work or reside (examples below), may get a Pfizer booster, at least six months after their second Pfizer shot, and should consider their individual risks and benefits.

"I would urge those who are eligible to get a booster shot as soon as possible so you have that extra protection as the holidays approach," said Persichilli.

More people will soon be eligible for boosters in the coming weeks, said Persichilli.

Persichilli also noted that the CDC is expected to vote on whether to recommend a booster of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson next week.

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