This Percentage Of Westfield Residents Are Now COVID Vaccinated

WESTFIELD, NJ — As of Monday, 53 percent of Westfield residents of all ages have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus, as well as 73 percent of those 18 and over, according to the most recent information from the state's COVID-19 dashboard Monday morning.

These numbers have climbed slightly from the 49 percent (total population) and 68 percent (adults) numbers cited in Mayor Shelley Brindle's update last week, which were based on statistics from Thursday.

The CDC advised last week that people are considered "fully vaccinated" two weeks after their final shot.

And as of Monday, 84 percent of people 65 and over in Westfield have been fully vaccinated. This is up slightly from the 83 percent number from Thursday.

As far as people getting one dose, 62 percent of Westfield residents of all ages had gotten at least one shot, as well as 84 percent of people 18 and over and 91 percent of people 65 and over.

As of last week, Livingston, tiny Teterboro, and Millburn were the three towns in the state with the highest percentage of residents vaccinated, according to NBC. The network noted that people in well-off towns likely had more resources to get the shot. Paramus, Haddonfield, and West Windsor followed close behind.

"This is incredibly good news," Mayor Brindle said about the numbers in her update on Friday, "and I want to thank you for doing your part. As you know, this week the Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for ages 12-15. The mega sites in New Jersey and all vaccination sites that carry Pfizer have been instructed to start seeing children 12 and above effective immediately. The Morris County mega site has also extended its hours to make it more convenient for working parents."

The Health Department will serve homebound residents and community sites. Call 908-789-4070 for more information.

Studies have shown that the vaccine is at least 95 percent effective against the virus, and among those who still get it, it will reduce the chance of hospitalization and death.

While the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from the virus as been declining with more people immunized, some are just starting to get vaccinated, including teens, for whom the vaccine was only approved last week. READ MORE: FDA Approves COVID Vaccine For Kids 12+: What It Means In NJ

Recently, nearby Summit reported a new death from the virus, a 45-year-old man who hadn't been vaccinated. Summit Man, 45, Dies From COVID; Report Includes Vax Status

The CDC advised on Thursday that full vaccinated people — meaning, two weeks after their final shot — no longer had to wear masks, but included exceptions: "except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

Many still hospitalized

Statewide, the Department of health reported that from this past Thursday to Friday, 30 new deaths were confirmed due to the virus. There were 1,041 people battling it in New Jersey hospitals on Wednesday, 162 of those on ventilators.

The state's daily death toll has not yet declined to the level of Sept. 8, when only 2 deaths were reported in one day, after a summer of lockdowns.

On Thursday, Murphy Tweeted a positive update:

For the first time in over six months, our number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has fallen below 1,000. With our numbers trending in the right direction, we can continue fighting back against this virus if we all get vaccinated. — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 13, 2021

New Jersey's peak daily death toll on April 30, 2020 was 460 fatalities reported in one day. The state's daily death toll has not yet declined to the level of Sept. 8, when only 2 deaths were reported in one day.

As of Saturday, 582,000 Americans have died of the virus, 3,000 more than the previous week.

You can see which states had the highest death toll in the past week on this CDC map, and see how each county is doing with this CDC link.

Find out where to get vaccinated in Union County, including for teens, here.

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