COVID Boosters Offered In Hoboken This Week For Eligible People; Links Below

HOBOKEN, NJ — New Jersey has the eleventh lowest rate of COVID deaths per capita in the country, but the virus is still spreading and taking lives, particularly with the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Of cases diagnosed in the state in the last four weeks, 99.3 percent were the Delta variant, the state says (see the "variants" tab).

Charts from one area North Jersey hospital group show their ratio of unvaccinated to vaccinated patients who are fighting COVID.

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said the city will begin offering Pfizer booster shots to eligible individuals starting Monday, following authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are only for people who had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine already.

"We know that the vaccines are our greatest line of defense against COVID-19," said Mayor Bhalla. "But, according to experts, the protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines appears to wane over time. With the rise of the Delta variant, it is imperative that we increase protection for our seniors, those with underlying medical conditions, and those at a greater risk of exposure. I urge everyone eligible to get a booster shot as soon as possible."

Starting on Monday, Sept. 27, The Hoboken Health Department and Hoboken Family Pharmacy will begin offering Pfizer booster shots to individuals 65 years old and older who received the full course of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

The Hoboken Health Department and Hoboken Family Pharmacy will be in the community rooms of each of the City's senior buildings, offering not only Pfizer vaccines to eligible individuals but also Flu shots to all building residents.

Those seeking a Pfizer booster shot must bring their vaccine card.

"Working with our local partners, we have made it easy for our seniors in senior buildings to get a Pfizer booster as soon as possible by bringing the boosters directly to them," said Leo Pellegrini, Director of Health and Human Services. "Hoboken is committed to providing these booster shots as well as continued testing and vaccinations for all our residents."

Through a partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding the city will also expand its vaccine clinics at 605 Jackson St. from two days per week to three days per week.

The vaccine clinics are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

More Information

• For a full schedule of testing clinics or to make an appointment to get tested go to, www.hobokennj.gov/testing. Appointments are required.
• For a list of pharmacy locations offering COVID-19 vaccines, go to www.hobokennj.gov/vaccine.

New Jersey Hospitalizations Up; More On Ventilators

On Saturday, Sept. 25, 1,068 people were hospitalized in New Jersey battling coronavirus, 129 of them on ventilators to help them breathe. Here are previous weeks' numbers:

• Friday, Sept. 17, 1,150 people were battling COVID in New Jersey hospitals. Of those, 142 were on ventilators.
• Friday, Sept. 10, 1,167 were hospitalized in New Jersey with COVID and 128 were on ventilators.
• Friday, Sept. 3, 1,054 people in New Jersey were being treated in hospitals for COVID, 109 on ventilators.
• Friday, Aug. 27, 1,022 people were hospitalized with COVID, 98 on ventilators.
• Friday, Aug. 20: 923 hospitalized, 73 on ventilators.

As of Sunday night, 684,884 Americans have died from COVID.

The COVID vaccine is 95 percent effective against the virus, according to medical professionals, and while vaccinated people may have "breakthrough cases," there is a lower chance of hospitalization or death for those vaccinated.

Read More About COVID And NJ:

• The Latest Data, Details On Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases In NJ
• COVID Hospitalizations Spike In NJ As Delta Variant Spreads
• Mayor: Westfield Had One Coronavirus Death In July
• NJ Mom Urges: Please Listen to COVID 'Long-Haulers'
• 4 Things To Know About The Delta Variant Of Coronavirus In NJ
• New Jersey Town Says: Get Vaccinated Or No Spaghetti For You
• Rise In Child COVID Hospitalizations Prompts Vaccination Plea
• NJ Hospital Preps For COVID Surge As Kids Set To Return To School

More Information

• 98 percent to 99 percent of recent COVID deaths were unvaccinated people, according to one study earlier this summer.
• Here is information on vaccine side effects, including the most rare but severe effects.
• COVID survivors may suffer from long-term symptoms.

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