TRENTON – As the vaccine rollout continues, two more groups were added to the list of people who can get inoculated. “Police and fire professionals” would be able to register for the vaccine starting January 7.
Health officials have designated the populace into a number of phases based on their likelihood to contract the disease and to have serious repercussions. Phase 1A is healthcare providers and those who live in long-term care like nursing homes.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced in a tweet that police and fire professionals are now added to that group.
“Our top priority remains vaccinating New Jerseyans in the 1a category – which includes our front line health care workers, and residents and staff at our long-term care centers,” Murphy tweeted.
He said that the online registration portal for the vaccine opened on January 5 and more than 450,000 people have signed up.
“This number gives us great optimism as we continue to roll out our robust statewide vaccine program,” he said.
Whether it’s the Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine, they both require two injections a certain number of weeks apart. When residents sign up for one appointment, they are actually signing up for two.
In order to get out the vaccine, a number of nearby locations have offered it. The Ocean County Health Department started a clinic at Toms River High School North and were scouting a southern location. The Monmouth County Health Department has a mobile unit that has a few dates around the county. ShopRite on Fischer Boulevard in Toms River and the one in Stafford are also locations. Ocean Health Initiatives in Toms River were also registering health care workers who were getting vaccinated while Murphy was speaking at a press conference in the parking lot recently.
New Jersey is looking for retired health care professionals with vaccination skills to volunteer with the New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps. To volunteer, visit: covid19.nj.gov/volunteer
