COVID-19 Update September 28, 2021
Hopewell Township: For the two-week period of 8/28 through 9/10, 42 cases were reported. There were an additional 37 cases from 9/11 through 9/24. Over 99% of cases in New Jersey are now the Delta variant which spreads quickly, making it even more important to self-isolate if you are feeling sick or have known exposure to someone with COVID. At this time, a significant portion of new cases in the Township are among residents in their 50’s, as well as children under age 20.
If you are a resident aged 65 or older, or between 50-64 years old with underlying medical conditions, the CDC is now recommending a booster vaccination for those who completed a two-dose series with the Pfizer vaccine, at least six months after your second shot. For additional information on whether you should consider a booster, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. The CDC is evaluating the available data with urgency to make additional recommendations for people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, as well as for other groups of people.
Submitted by Hopewell Township
Statement From New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli on CDC Approval of Pfizer Booster Dose September 24, 2021
The action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides for the administration of booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after completion of the primary series to help increase protection for the following:
- people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot;
- people age 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot;
- people age 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
- people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings, including healthcare workers, may receive a booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks.
The New Jersey Department of Health is directing our vaccination partners in the state to begin administering booster doses to eligible individuals immediately. Individuals will self-identify according to the categories above and will not be required by vaccination providers to provide proof of a medical condition or a note from a medical provider in order to receive a booster dose in New Jersey.
There are over 1,600 vaccination sites across New Jersey – more than 1,000 of which offer the Pfizer vaccine – and the Department of Health continues to work to add additional sites. Many sites have walk-in availability and extended hours. To find a vaccination site and book an appointment online, visit covid19.nj.gov/finder or call the State’s Vaccine Call Center at 1-855-568-0545.
Our efforts also include homebound individuals. Individuals who received Pfizer can reach out directly to their local health department or complete the intake form available at covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax. For assistance completing the survey by phone, please contact the call center.
People who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not yet eligible for the booster shots authorized by the federal government.
In a statement, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky said the CDC “will also evaluate with similar urgency available data in the coming weeks to swiftly make additional recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.”
FDA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/144413/download
Submitted by Mercer County
