New Jersey teachers, education support staff and child care workers became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, according to Gov. Phil Murphy.
Initially, the group was expected to be eligible on March 15.
The governor joined teachers and staff Saturday afternoon as they received the COVID-19 vaccine at the state-run Gloucester County vaccine megasite.
A Department of Health spokesperson told NJ.com on Friday that pre-kindergarten through 12th grade educators and staff are “currently eligible,” for the vaccine.
“Answering the call from the Biden administration, educators, including support staff, in pre-K through 12th grade, and child care workers in licensed and registered settings, are now eligible ahead of March 15,” the spokesperson told the media outlet.
The sudden eligibility expansion came amid an increase to New Jersey’s federal allotment of shots, thanks to the FDA’s emergency authorization of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The pool of those eligible to get vaccinated will expand further on March 15 to include:
- Transportation workers
- All additional public safety workers, including probation officers and fire safety inspectors
- Migrant farm workers
- Members of tribal communities
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
- Those living in shelters, including domestic violence shelters
On March 29, the state will open vaccinations for people in the following groups:
- Food production, food distribution
- Elder care and support
- Warehousing and logistics, social services, elections personnel, hospitality
- Medical supply chain
- Postal and shipping services
- Clergy
- Judicial system
