Cranford EMS Worker Can't Get Coronavirus Vaccine: Report

CRANFORD, NJ — The state of New Jersey expanded the groups eligible for COVID-19 vaccines last week, including people ages 16-65 with certain chronic health conditions. But only one of the two vaccines currently in wide use —the Pfizer vaccine — has been approved for people 16 and up.

With all COVID vaccines in limited supply in New Jersey, even teenagers working or volunteering in health care — who were in the first phase of eligibility — are having a tough time accessing it.

An NJ.com story noted on Friday that Kelsey Quinones, 16, a volunteer with the Cranford First Aid Squad, has been working 12-hour shifts on weekends. But her mother has been trying to get her an appointment for the vaccine for more than a week, since she's eligible as a health care worker.

Mom Carole Quinones told NJ.com that the two hospitals to which her daughter frequently transports patients told her she's not eligible to get the shot there. Only three facilities in the state can vaccinate people ages 16 and up, the news outlet reported. (Read more of that story here).

Before using the vaccine on those under 18, a company has to have enough trials with younger people. Moderna is currently expanding its vaccine trials for those under 18, as was Johnson & Johnson, according to reports.

On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy said that the state was waiting for more vaccines from the federal government. As of the end of the week, 13,458 residents of Union County had been vaccinated.

According to Patch numbers, 27 percent more New Jersey residents died in 2020 than in 2019 or 2018, and deaths rose by 44.5 percent in Union County from 2019 to 2020. Click to see the story here.

By Tuesday, the American death toll due to coronavirus was expected to surpass 400,000 lives.

Local town will participate in memorial observance

On Tuesday, the Biden Inaugural Committee is hosting a nationwide COVIDMemorial observance in honor of those who passed away due to the virus in the last year. Among local towns participating is Westfield, which will host a livestream.

Summit Medical Group overwhelmed with calls

One area medical group has had to ask people to stop calling just for the vaccines.

"Eligibility changes have caused a spike in vaccine demand," says a message on the website of Summit Medical Group, which has 80 locations in New Jersey and New York. Read more about that here.

Read more about where else to get vaccinated in Union County here.

OTHER VIRUS TRENDS

• Use this link to see the updated fatality count in the United States.
• More than 900 health care workers have died of the virus nationally.
• Others are simultaneously fighting misinformation and hoaxes as they try to fight the virus.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

• During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.
• The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
• New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
• Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

LONG-TERM CARE

• Recently, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said last month. The state announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1.
• New Jersey residents became alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities.
• The state released death toll statistics in spring for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
• Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.
• Facilities began receiving the coronavirus vaccine in December and January, starting with a long-term care home in Old Bridge in December. Read about one Summit nursing home vaccinating residents and staff here.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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