SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Who is eligible for a COVID-19 booster, and when? Gov. Phil Murphy says he wants to make it as easy as possible to understand the answer to that question, so as many people as possible can get their shots before Thanksgiving.
New Jersey has been following federal guidelines to the letter, but Murphy says he thinks it is too much to ask people to keep up with different rules for the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots.
"We know that some of the hesitancy for folks to get a booster is because of confusion over whether they meet the CDC's eligibility limitations for age or job-based exposure risk," Murphy said.
Murphy says New Jersey residents can expect a more simple approach in the coming days. The bottom line is he wants as many people as possible to get their shot ahead of thanksgiving.
"And by the way, I would just say this: If you're in doubt, and you meet the waiting period, just get a booster. Choose the side of greater protection. I'm gonna vote, and I hope we get there sooner than later, that we make this even more simple and straightforward."
For now, anyone over age 65 who is six months out from their last Pfizer or Moderna shot is eligible for a booster. Anyone one over age 18, with a health condition or a job that makes them more at risk, who is six months out from their last Pfizer or Moderna shot, is also eligible for a booster. And everyone 18 and older who got the J&J hot at least two months ago is also eligible.
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"With the holidays coming up, we need as many people boosted as possible. It’s that simple," the governor said.
Murphy says he’s likely to get rid of any of the health or workplace qualifiers and just open up the boosters to everyone over age 18 after they reach the six-month or two-month waiting period from their initial vaccination.
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