NJ Passes 4.7M Vaccination Goal. But Towns Still Lag Behind

NEW JERSEY - "Cautiously optimistic" was how Governor Phil Murphy described the chances of the Garden State reaching their vaccination goal of 70 percent of the adult population by June 30. On Friday, that optimism was rewarded as New Jersey passed the 4.7 million mark, despite several communities lagging behind.

"We have now exceeded our initial goal, with 12 days to go before our self-appointed deadline," Murphy said, speaking at University Hospital in Newark.

The announcement was made on the site of New Jersey's first vaccination outside a clinical trial and the first recipient, Maritza Beniquez, was in attendance.

Beniquez, a nurse in the emergency room of University Hospital in Newark, was the first person in New Jersey to get a COVID-19 vaccination. And she did so on the same day she turned 56.

“Before the arrival of vaccines in mid-December, our Administration set one of the most aggressive vaccination goals in the country,” Murphy said. “Reaching our milestone of 4.7 million fully vaccinated individuals who live, work, or study in New Jersey in a little more than six months required a comprehensive statewide approach, with strong partnerships across all levels of government, the private sector, and in our communities. Our Administration built a large-scale vaccination infrastructure, with more than 1,500 vaccine distribution sites to date, to meet demand and provide equitable access to all eligible individuals. "

But despite the big announcement and fanfare from Murphy, several communities are significantly behind the goal of getting seven out of 10 adults inoculated against COVID-19. Phillipsburg, Pemberton, Lakewood, Irvington, New Brunswick, East Orange, and Glassboro are the seven communities with more than 10,000 residents with less than half of their population vaccinated.

The numbers as of Thursday break down as follows:

• Phillipsburg: 41 percent
• Pemberton: 42 percent
• Lakewood: 43 percent
• Irvington: 44 percent
• New Brunswick: 45 percent
• East Orange: 46 percent
• Glassboro: 49 percent

During his COVID briefing on Wednesday, Murphy noted that some of these communities may have people vaccinated in other states, such as Pennsylvania.

"These numbers are the floor for these communities and the actual number may be higher, but that does not mean for one moment that we are going to rest,” Murphy said. “We’re going to run through this mile marker and keep on going. We are not yet at the finish line.”

The state’s data shows the vaccines are 99.94 percent effecting against infection and “even stronger” against hospitalizations and death.

“The vaccines can prevent you from being one of the numbers on our dashboard,” Murphy said.

Not Mission Accomplished

Murphy said his administration is grateful to the millions who rolled up their sleeves to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from COVID-19.

"While we are celebrating this remarkable achievement, our work is not yet finished, and we must continue working together to vaccinate all eligible individuals to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Murphy used a baseball analogy to sum up where the Garden State needs to go next in the battle against COVID.

"Remember Hank Aaron when he broke Babe Ruth's record? He didn't stop," Murphy said. "When he got to 715, he hit another 40 homers."

Murphy said that is what New Jersey needs to do, to keep stepping up to the plate to get vaccinated, noting that there is no longer a pandemic among vaccinated individuals.

"So for yourself, for your community, for your family, please help push our total even higher," he said. "To five, six or seven, or even nine million."

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