NJ Extends COVID-19 Emergency, Citing Need To Boost Vaccines

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy extended New Jersey's public health emergency on Wednesday, saying the state needs to boost its vaccine program and address concerns that have arisen over its effectiveness. It was the 13th time the emergency was extended, and snow is expected to have an impact on vaccine distribution this week, officials said.

Murphy acknowledged residents have had problems with scheduling appointments, saying the state remains committed to doing everything it can to improve the platforms available for scheduling appointments.

"We remain committed to working with the federal government to receive every single dose we can," Murphy said. "We will get there. There's no question in my mind. Every single New Jerseyan who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated."

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said winter weather across the United States and a coming snowstorm are expected to have an impact on vaccine distribution this week.

Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the state police, said Burlington and Morris County megasites will be closed and the Somerset community-based site will be closed on Thursday. Other vaccine sites could also close. Read more: NJ Weather: Latest Snow Total Estimates Rise For Winter Storm

Murphy also said the COVID variant's presence has elevated the need for better vaccine distribution – as well as slowing the progress of reopenings. Read more: Gov. Murphy: COVID Variant Is Slowing NJ's Reopening

And at the moment, with only two approved vaccines available, Murphy said, "we all need to continue to be patient as doses continue to roll out."

“Extending the public health emergency allows the Department of Health to continue its vaccination efforts, including prioritizing high-risk individuals, promoting adequate staffing at vaccination sites, and overseeing second-dose administration,” Murphy said. “Today’s action gives us the ability to continue our ongoing COVID-19 mitigation efforts while also vaccinating New Jersey residents as quickly and safely as possible.”

As of Wednesday morning, 1,470,941 New Jersey residents — about 14 percent of the population — have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. About 1,060,000 had received at least their first dose, Murphy said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. More than 412,000 have received their second dose.

The emergency declaration means the state will continue to have the authority to order new shutdowns and take similar extraordinary acts if the virus resurges, as it has done in other states.

Cases have been dropping, although New Jersey had one of its highest daily totals on Wednesday — 3,786 — in a week as well as 92 more deaths.

Murphy also recently addressed concerns that various Rite Aid stores have been listed as vaccination sites, but the company didn't initially appear to provide a clear way to sign up for shots. Read more: 70 Rite Aid, 27 CVS Pharmacies In NJ Beginning COVID-19 Vaccines

The state's vaccine hub website now has listed a number of stores in towns in New Jersey and asked people to sign up here.

Murphy addressed concerns about Rite Aid's vaccine program during his Friday news conference after the state initially listed the company's vaccine sites as "coming soon."

"I can't speak to Rite Aid. I don't have firsthand knowledge of Rite Aid's website, but I'm sure that it will be addressed, perhaps in short order," Murphy said.

The state also opened a call center that has more than 1,000 people staffing it to address vaccine issues, according to Persichilli, but Murphy praised local outreach efforts that are bridging the gap and helping get shots to people who need it, such as seniors.

"We applaud the effort of the many other vaccination sites that are conducting direct outreach in their communities to make appointments for seniors and others who many not have internet access," he said.

Persichilli said plans are in the works to bring vaccination clinics to the communities to serve seniors who do not live in long-term care facilities. Part of the holdup is the difficulties posed by the specialized temperature storage that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require.

"Moderna and Pfizer don't travel well," she said.

"J&J we hope will travel very well," she said, referring to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that is awaiting emergency use approval from the FDA will help. That vaccine is delivered in one dose and does not require specialized temperature storage.