Gov. Phil Murphy and Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli were grateful for the decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to allow all adults 18 years of age and older to be eligible for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The state, which already has administered more than 1 million booster shots, is eager to administer more as COVID numbers continue to climb.
On Sunday, state officials announced just under 1,500 new cases (1,482), an increase of 23% from a week ago and 34% from a month ago. Even more, the rate of transmission jumped to 1.21 (anything over 1.0 indicates the virus is spreading).
According to the CDC county-by-county tracker, 19 of the state’s 21 counties are at “high” risk for transmission. Only Essex and Middlesex are considered to be at the “substantial” risk level. Most of the country is at “high” risk.
Murphy and Persichilli, in a joint statement Saturday, encouraged all New Jerseyans to get a booster shot.
“With the holidays approaching, we encourage all individuals who have received their COVID-19 vaccination to get a booster dose,” they said. “We also continue to encourage all individuals who have not yet received a vaccination to do so ahead of holiday gatherings and travel to avoid putting themselves, their family and community at risk. It’s that simple.”
Thus far, the state has administered more than 1 million booster shots, breaking down as follows:
- Pfizer: 601,128;
- Moderna: 466,419;
- Johnson & Johnson: 20,407.
