HEALTHCARE
COVID‐19 Vaccines Report : A Look at NJ ’ s 2021 Rollout
Six mega sites were opened throughout the state to distribute the vaccine .
By Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor
New Jersey ’ s goal to vaccinate 4.7 million people — 70 percent of the eligible population against COVID‐19 — is aimed at creating community protection , or what is called “ herd immunity ,” for everyone ’ s well-being .
State Health Commissioner Judith M . Persichilli briefed members of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey ( CIANJ ) on the state ’ s plan as she launched a new series of meetings with stakeholders , business groups , community leaders and influencers to build confidence in the vaccines .
Surveys show that late last year only 47 percent of people were likely to get the vaccine . In the few weeks since Moderna and Pfizer-BioN- Tech rolled out their vaccines under emergency federal authorization , however , the likelihood grew to 83 percent .
Already more than 660,000 people received shots , the commissioner said . Another 2 million have registered with the state for the vaccine . Unfortunately , Persichilli said the vaccines are in short supply and the actual manufacturing pipeline is not as strong as the state was told before November .
Still New Jersey is moving forward and last month opened eligibility beyond healthcare workers , first responders and elderly residents to those with chronic conditions as outlined in guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
Six mega sites were opened throughout the state to distribute the vaccine : Atlantic City Convention Center , Meadowlands Complex in East Rutherford , Moorestown Mall , NJ Convention & Expo Center in Edison , Rockaway Townsquare Mall and Rowan College in Sewell . Vaccines are dispensed free to the public .
Regina Foley , a senior vice president at Hackensack Meridian Health , which is partnering with the state at the Meadowlands site , said the goal is to inoculate 2,400 people per day there with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine . When it first opened only 3,500 shots a week were being dispensed . But Foley said it would quickly ramp up to a 12-hour operation , seven days a week .
The vaccines are unlike others , which relied on weakened or inactive virus to create immunity in the past . The mRNA vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech teach our cells how to make protein or even a piece
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of protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies . That immune response produces antibodies that can protect the body from a COVID‐19 infection or reduce the severity of an infection .
Persichilli also wanted to dispel the rumors that the vaccine can cause infertility . “ It ’ s not true ,” she said emphatically , urging people to discuss their concerns with their healthcare providers and avoid unsubstantiated claims .
To allay any fear over the vaccine ’ s speedy development , Lisa Coen , a senior director of vaccines and public affairs at Pfizer , noted 46,000 people took part in the clinical trials at 153 sites across the world , spanning six countries and 39
“ 46,000 people took part in the clinical trials at 153 sites across the world .”
states . Among the U . S . participants , Coen said 30 percent of them were from diverse racial and / or ethnic backgrounds and 40 percent were 56 years old or older .
During the CIANJ presentation , Dean Paranicas , CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey , said clinical trials for more vaccines and therapies are continuing . As of January , the life science industry was involved in 1,609 active clinical trials , including 545 unique therapies trials and 161 vaccine trials , involving 65 unique vaccines .
COVID‐19 has had a disproportionate effect on people of color . Persichilli said young Hispanic men are 2.5 times more likely to contract the virus and African Americans are
NJ State Health Commissioner Judith M . Persichilli
getting sick at two times the rate of their white counterparts .
To combat the dire effects of racial and ethnic disparity , the health commissioner said New Jersey is committed to equitable access to vaccines to all who live , work or are educated in the state .
James Anelli , a partner at White and Williams LLP , moderated a legal panel during the event . It advised employers that although mandating employees to get vaccinated could be on the horizon , it cannot be considered now because of short supplies .
The Meadowlands Complex is one of six mega-vaccination sites opened throughout the state .
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