Murphy expands vaccine eligibility to include teachers, transportation workers, others

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy announced on March 1 the expansion of eligibility for more front-line essential workers and high-risk groups in New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Eligible groups include educators and staff in pre-K through 12th-grade settings, childcare workers, and transportation workers, among others.

“Our administration has built the infrastructure — including nearly 300 vaccination sites across the state — needed to support New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination demand,” Murphy said. “As the federal government continues to make more vaccine doses available, we are confident in our ability to expand our vaccination program to reach more of our essential workers and vulnerable populations. Our goal is to provide every New Jerseyan with a vaccine when it is available and they are eligible.”

“As vaccine supply increases, this phased expansion of new eligibility groups keeps New Jersey moving forward toward our goal of vaccinating 70 percent of the eligible adult population,” New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said.

Beginning Monday, March 15, the following categories are eligible for vaccination: educators, including support staff, in pre-K through 12th-grade settings; childcare workers in licensed and registered settings; public and local transportation workers, including NJ Transit workers and Motor Vehicle Commission staff, as well as bus, taxi, rideshare and airport employees; public safety workers who are not sworn law enforcement or fire professionals, including probation officers and fire safety inspectors; migrant farm workers; members of tribal communities; and individuals experiencing homelessness and those living in shelters, including domestic violence shelters.

Additionally, beginning Monday, March 29, front-line essential workers in the following categories are also eligible for vaccination: food production, agriculture and food distribution; eldercare and support; warehousing and logistics; social services support staff; elections personnel; hospitality; medical supply chain; postal and shipping services; clergy; and judicial system.

Additionally, the eligibility list will indicate that all individuals ages 16 to 64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that increase the risk or might increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.

For more information about eligibility, statewide vaccination site locations and to preregister for a vaccination, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine.

“Gov. Murphy and I are committed to both reopening schools as soon as possible and making sure that our educators and students are safe. By expanding vaccination eligibility to educators, we advance both goals,” New Jersey Department of Education acting Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan said. “Schools are an integral part of our communities, and everyone in the school community needs to feel safe and secure as we work to safely reopen schools. The expansion of vaccine eligibility being announced today is another step to demonstrate our commitment to our school staff and students, and their families.”

“Gov. Murphy’s announcement that he is adding educators to the vaccine priority list is an important step toward New Jersey’s emergence from this pandemic,” New Jersey Education Association President Marie Blistan said. “With nearly 1.4 million students and over 200,000 adults, one out of every six New Jersey residents is connected directly to our public schools. Count the families they go home to and no institution in our state directly connects to more individuals than our public schools. The sooner educators are vaccinated, the sooner our entire state is safer. We call on the administration to immediately extend that access to employees in higher education who are equally as exposed and equally as critical to fully reopening our state for in-person instruction. At every level, New Jersey educators have worked tirelessly to educate our students and have advocated tirelessly to protect them and our communities throughout this pandemic by demanding high standards for health and safety. We stand ready to work with the Murphy administration, other elected leaders, school districts and colleges to ensure that our members can access the promised vaccinations quickly and efficiently.”

“Many thanks to Gov. Murphy for prioritizing vaccinations for teachers and school personnel,” Garden State Coalition of Schools Executive Director Elisabeth Ginsburg said; Ginsburg is also the president of the Glen Ridge Board of Education. “This moves us closer to the happy day when all our students can be back in our classrooms.”

Members of the Essex County Board of Commissioners also praised the recent announcement.

“I support Gov. Murphy’s decision to expand the list of residents eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” board President Wayne Richardson said. “Our people, specifically our young people in Essex County and all over the nation, are our most precious resource. Although we temporarily closed our schools and have been engaging in remote learning to keep our communities safe, it is clear that schools need to reopen as soon as they are deemed safe, and school teachers should be among the groups that are prioritized with respect to receiving the vaccine. In order for our teachers to provide a safe learning environment for our children, we as leaders in government must do our part to help them feel safe. Prioritizing teachers and ensuring they can receive the vaccine is a prudent course of action, and I applaud the governor for this decision.”

“I am beyond thrilled to learn teachers K-12 in New Jersey will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 15,” board Vice President Carlos Pomares said. “As a father of three, professor and husband of a veteran elementary school teacher, I know firsthand how important it is to have teachers and students back in the classroom. Aside from the academics, teachers serve a critical role in the development of our children. Teachers nurture our future leaders, build warm and creative environments, and can help identify children needing additional services. Teachers are among the leading role models our community has to offer. I personally can’t wait to return to the classroom as I miss the in-person interaction with students, faculty and staff.”

“I support and applaud this decision because it brings us another step closer to protecting one of our most vulnerable groups, our children. Furthermore, it brings us closer to a tangible way of protecting our teachers and our students; while ultimately reaching our goal of safely reopening our schools,” Commissioner Brendan Gill said. “I encourage each of us to assume the responsible position of protecting ourselves, our families and ultimately our community by receiving the vaccination. As we continue to move forward, we will meet the Department of Health’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of the eligible adult population. Therefore, as capacity limits open up, and we begin to return to some of our normal activities, let us remain vigilant and mindful to maintain safety protocols. It will take all of these measures, along with the vaccination, to stop the deadly spread and eventually eradicate this virus.”