Essex County Is Averaging 1,000 COVID Vaccinations Per Day

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County is averaging more than 1,000 shots per day at its COVID-19 vaccination centers in Livingston, Newark, West Caldwell and West Orange, officials reported Wednesday.

Over the past 13 days, the county-run vaccination sites have given 13,273 inoculations to eligible residents, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“We thank our nurses and volunteers for making everything run so smoothly,” DiVincenzo commented.

Previously, New Jersey only provided vaccines to health-care professionals and long-term-care employees, along with some long-term care residents. Then, last week, the state expanded availability for police and firefighters, signaling a shift from Phase 1A to 1B of New Jersey's vaccination plan.

State officials, however, didn't fully move into Phase 1B, which includes frontline essential workers and other high-risk groups, including teachers.

On Wednesday, officials announced that the eligibility list has grown yet again. Read More: NJ Expands COVID Vaccine To 65 & Older, Those With Medical Issues

Now, seniors over 65 and people with medical conditions that put them at risk from the virus qualify for a shot. Eligible conditions include:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Down syndrome
• Heart conditions
• Obesity
• Sickle cell anemia
• Type 2 diabetes
• Smoking
• Individuals who are pregnant
• Those in an immunocompromised state and a weakened immune system because of issues such as an organ transplant

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

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