by Sean McGarry
Through the many roadblocks, New Jersey is moving along with vaccine distributions.
Above is an image of New Jersey governor Phil Murphy. Retrieved from ABC7NY.
Because of its toll, both on the economy and life, the COVID-19 pandemic called for scientific innovation. In recent months, the country answered that clarion call with a vaccine. Then, the states rolled out their vaccine plans. In December, the first NJ vaccine was administered to ER nurse Maritza Benique at University Hospital in Newark. As of April 16th, New Jersey has given over 5.54 million shots, with almost 40% of the state receiving the first dose. Last Friday, Murphy actually received the Pfizer vaccine at the Atlantic City Convention Center. His second dose should be completed in the next couple of weeks.
The state has conducted each dose in batches based on medical priority and the safety of essential workers. The groups are broken down below:
Phase 1A: long-term care residents and staff
Phase 1B: first responders and certain individuals with high risk, education workers, transportation workers, public safety workers,
Phase 1C: the rest of the individuals with high risk, some frontline workers (real estate agents, postal workers, etc.), individuals 16 and over with disabilities
In a new statement from Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Health, “As of Monday, April 19th, all individuals aged 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination.” In particular, this is of great significance to BTHS students, as millions of high schoolers have been deprived of in-person instruction and socialization.
As the country, New Jersey included, began to rollout the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, some patients claim suspicious symptoms. Although minute, about half a dozen people have experienced rare blood clots after their dose, also known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Johnson & Johnson is in the process of identifying the flaw in their medicine, but have informed the country that "people who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.” Murphy does not intend to eliminate this vaccine completely, but ceased its use as of Tuesday.
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines remain the most employed methods of immunization. The two are both mRNA vaccines given through two separate shots. These doses take place within 3-4 weeks of each other, and have been proven to be 95% effective in individuals 16 and older.
The renowned Cooperstown Dreams Park announced last week that they would require every person 12 and over to receive the vaccine, requesting it from health officials under dire circumstances. To highlight, they stated, “All participants, coaches and campers 12 years and older must be immunized. Immunization requirements: COVID-19 (campers under 12 years of age are exempt, but must provide a negative test upon arrival), diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis b, measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, tetanus and varicella a/k/a chickenpox. Cooperstown Dreams Park is hopeful that the vaccines will be available a minimum of twenty-one days prior to any registration date. Cooperstown Dreams Park will, if necessary, modify registration date by registration date until a vaccine is available for 12 year olds and older.” This is an extreme vision, for as of right now, no states allow anyone under 16 to get vaccinated, let alone 12. This could pose questions to the future of Murphy’s vaccination decisions and phase orders. On the whole, NJ has its successes and obstacles in vaccine roll-out. Nevertheless, the state and its students will persist.
Sources
1. Arco, M. (2021, April 13). https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2021/04/nj-reports-49-covid-deaths-3466-cases-as-state-shelves-jj-vaccines.html. NJ.com. https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2021/04/nj-reports-49-covid-deaths-3466-cases-as-state-shelves-jj-vaccines.html
2. BBC News. (2021, April 14). Johnson & Johnson vaccine paused over rare blood clots. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56733715
3. Eyewitness News. (2020, December 15). New Jersey coronavirus update: ER nurse is recipient of state's 1st COVID-19 vaccine. https://abc7ny.com/nj-vaccines-when-is-the-first-covid-vaccine-coronavirus-gov-murphy/8789311/
4. Arco, M. (2021, April 9). Gov. Phil Murphy gets his first COVID vaccine dose at N.J. mega-site. https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2021/04/gov-phil-murphy-gets-his-first-covid-vaccine-dose-at-nj-mega-site.html
5. Katella, K. (2021, April 13). Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different? https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison
6. Kevlin, J. (2021, April 9). Dreams Park Requires Vaccinating 12-Year-Olds, Upsetting Some Parents. https://www.allotsego.com/dreams-park-requires-vaccinating-12-year-olds-upsetting-some-parents/