How Many NJ Employees Comply With Vaccine Mandates? New Data Released

NEW JERSEY — More than half of the state’s work force has been vaccinated against the coronavirus. While Gov. Phil Murphy called it a good start, he said there is still work to be done, New Jersey health officials said on Monday.

About 70 percent of New Jersey State employees have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to numbers released by the state Department of Health on Monday.

Out of the 50 state agencies that reported those numbers, 43 are reporting full vaccination rates, at or above 75 percent, officials said on Monday. No information was immediately available on which agencies were in compliance and which weren’t.

Statewide, 73 percent of residents statewide who have been fully vaccinated, according to health officials.

There are also a “significant number” of state employees who have received their first dose or are undergoing regular testing, Murphy said during a news conference on Monday.

Some offices are just beginning to report numbers, Murphy said. The state is working with them and agencies whose numbers are lagging to get up to speed on vaccinations, Murphy said.

“It’s a good start,” Murphy said. “Because certain agencies or departments only got back in person in the past number of weeks, the data is a starting place, not where we will end up. It’s a good start, but it’s going to get better. It needs to get better.”

It is the first time such numbers have been released publicly since Murphy announced that all state employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or undergo testing for the coronavirus once or twice a week. Read more here: NJ Teachers, State Employees Must Be Vaccinated Or Face Testing

“Any employee who identified as non-compliant is subject to disciplinary actions,” Murphy said. “This is about ensuring a safe work place for everyone. Just as we know our state employees are focused on providing the best services to our residents, we need them just as focused on protecting the health of their colleagues and the people they serve.”

Disciplinary action is progressive, up to suspension without pay, according to Murphy’s Chief Counsel, Parimal Garg. Anyone who chronically refuses the orders could be fired, Garg said.
Specific disciplinary actions depend on the agency and union representation, Murphy said.

Information about how many employees have been disciplined wasn’t immediately available.