7 Percent Of New Jersey Fails To Show Up For 2nd Shot

NEW JERSEY — About seven percent of New Jersey residents have failed to show up for their second coronavirus vaccine shot, according to the most recent Department of Health data available. And Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday the state is going to be "aggressive" about getting everyone back in for their second jab.

New Jersey is actually faring better than the rest of the U.S. in this regard, where statistics show about 12 percent nationally are not returning for their second shot, state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said April 26. Dr. Anthony Fauci had slightly different data, saying on April 30 that about eight percent nationally are not returning for their second dose.

At his press conference Monday, Murphy urged people to get fully vaccinated. The governor said the state is "going to put in overdrive ... to make sure everyone who gets a first shot of either Pfizer or Moderna gets back for their second," and that his administration will be "blanketing the state to reach those who might still be on the fence" about getting the vaccine.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine require two doses, spaced about six weeks apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is only a one-shot dose.

Six weeks after getting their first shot, 93 percent of New Jersey residents returned for their second dose, said Persichilli on April 26. That means about seven percent of people are simply not coming back for round two.

"This is higher than what is being seen nationally," said Persichilli. "CDC has reported that among individuals who received a first dose and for whom sufficient time has elapsed to receive the second dose, 88 percent had completed their series."

About 31 percent of the total U.S. population have been fully vaccinated, according to NPR's vaccine tracker. That is about 104 million people.

In New Jersey, 51 percent or 4.6 million, of the state has received at least one dose, and 33 percent or 2.9 million, been fully vaccinated.

On Monday, Murphy also called out the following towns where only 40 percent of residents have started the vaccine process (meaning they only got one shot so far.) Those towns are: Lakewood, Irvington, Pemberton, Camden, New Brunswick, East Orange, Trenton, Passaic and Newark, among others. Here is the full list from the May 3 press conference:

The reasons people skip that second shot are myriad: The second shot is reported anecdotally to cause a stronger immune response, and members of the public have reported extreme fatigue, soreness, fevers, headaches and nausea after the second dose. There is also the public conception that one round of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is enough to give immunity.

That thinking is incorrect, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Last Wednesday, the CDC released this study that found the Pfizer and Moderna shots give 64 percent protection in those 65 and older after one injection. After the second dose, that immunity increases to 94 percent effectiveness.

Public health experts urge New Jersey residents to return for that second shot, saying it is vital to protect against the virus.

"The second shot leads to a huge boost of the body's immune protection," said Dr. Stanley Weiss, a medical doctor and epidemiologist in infectious and chronic diseases and a professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

"(The second shot) neutralizes antibodies increase by about 15-fold, thereby reducing the likelihood of severe disease from COVID-19," said Weiss.

He also said the second shot gives protection from the variants that are circulating.

“We need to have a broad program instituted at the state and local levels to actively call or reach out to people to remind them about their appointments and actively follow-up on those who missed their appointment," said Dr. Weiss.

"I believe this will help reduce the numbers of no-shows for the second vaccine shot, and help move us forward to the goal of herd immunity that enables the re-opening of our society," he said.

The New Jersey health commissioner said the state will aggressively call those people who don't show up for their second shot to urge them to come back in for the second jab.

New Jersey also is launching a “Shot and a Beer” program to encourage eligible New Jerseyans ages 21 and older to get vaccinated.

Any New Jerseyan who gets their first vaccine dose in the month of May and takes their vaccination card to a participating brewery will receive a free beer.

"All vaccinators are expected to follow best practices and schedule second dose appointments at the time of the first dose and then to send reminders," Persichilli said. "The call center, our call center, will be conducting outreach to remind residents to get their second dose and provide assistance on how to schedule for a second dose if they missed their previous appointment."

"It is vital residents get both doses so that they have full protection that the vaccines offer against COVID-19," she said.

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