New Jersey Health officials have encouraged residents to get the booster shot. Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said people who are eligible but have not received their booster shots might be unaware that their immunity against COVID has weakened since their initial doses months ago.
As reported by nj.com, although there are nearly four million residents in the state eligible to receive the booster, only 24% of those who qualify have received it, explained Persichilli.
Vaccine reduced effectiveness
According to a recent Science Magazine article cited by the Health Commissioner, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine lost the most effectiveness. In February, it had shown to be 86.4% effective. By October, it had declined to 13.1% effective. The Moderna shot had declined from 89.2% to 58% effective, while Pfizer’s vaccine had declined from 86.9% to 43.3% effective.
“The article also showed the power of boosters to protect against this virus,” she said. “Administration of booster doses for individuals 60 years and older, resulted in 11.3 times reduction in confirmed infections and 19.5 times reduction in severe illness.”
Persichilli also admitted that the eligibility criteria could be confusing. “We know there is confusion regarding whether you are eligible for a booster,” the commissioner said. So, she clarified who is eligible during Gov. Phil Murphy’s weekly COVID briefing.
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Booster eligibility requirements
Residents are eligible to “get a booster” if:
- They are 65 years of age or older.
- They are 18 years of age or older and live or work in a high-risk setting, like a school, health care, transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, restaurants, supermarkets, and other “front-facing” occupations.
- Live in a congregate setting or long-term care setting.
- Have an underlying health condition such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, or an immune disorder
The commissioner said residents should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website to verify guidelines and other qualifications for a booster. Residents can also phone New Jersey’s Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545 if they have questions.
Meanwhile, Gov. Phil Murphy has suggested that New Jersey will soon expand and simplify booster eligibility rules to allow all residents 18 and older to get another shot, a step beyond current federal guidelines.
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“You can expect we’re going to make this even more simple in the days ahead,” Murphy said during his latest COVID-19 briefing in Trenton. “We think this is a big step we can take with the holidays coming up. We need as many people boosted as possible, plain and simple.”
Rising COVID-19 cases
The remarks come as New Jersey has seen daily coronavirus cases begin to rise again. The state’s seven-day average for confirmed positive tests increased to 1,386, up about 30% from two weeks ago and 5% from a month ago. It is the first time the month-over-month comparison increased since October 1.
Murphy even appeared to endorse any adult getting a booster now if they are unsure of their eligibility. “If you’re in doubt, get the darn booster,” Murphy said. “We want to make this as simple as possible.”
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