News

NJ hospitals fill with younger COVID patients as more seniors get vaccinated

The scenes in New Jersey's intensive care units were unmistakable last spring — a sea of senior citizens, many of them 75 and older, filling beds, ravaged by COVID-19 and gasping for air.

New Jersey hospitals never saw levels like that again. But this spring, as hospitalizations began to steadily increase during another wave, emergency departments filled with a new demographic: working-age adults.

NorthJersey.com

Here are the differences between the Pfizer, Moderna and now-paused J&J vaccines

After federal health officials recommended a “pause” of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, New Jersey immediately stopped administering the vaccine.

Officials made the call after six women between the ages of 18 and 48 had potentially serious blood clots 6 to 13 days after vaccination. The reports of blood clots have been exceedingly rare, affecting six cases out of more than 7 million U.S. inoculations with the one-dose vaccine.

NJ.com

Un médico aclara dudas sobre las vacunas contra el coronavirus y sus posibles efectos secundarios

"Las vacunas son muy efectivas": un médico aclara dudas sobre el proceso de inmunización contra el coronavirus

El doctor Manny Álvarez, especialista en obstetricia y ginecología del Hackensack Meridian Health, aclara algunas dudas alrededor de la vacuna de Johnson & Johnson y los casos de seis mujeres que sufrieron raros y severos coágulos de sangre después de recibir la inyección.

UNIVISION

J&J suspension won’t affect NJ’s COVID vaccine expansion to 16 and older: Murphy

The suspension of Johnson & Johnson vaccines in New Jersey will not affect the state’s ability to lower the age of eligibility to 16 years and older on Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday.

Additionally, the governor said the state’s goal of vaccinating 4.7 million residents by the end of June “remains in place” and is “entirely achievable.”

PIX 11

Ask KHN-PolitiFact: How Can Covid Vaccines Be Safe When They Were Developed So Fast?

The development of the first covid vaccines may have seemed to occur at a dizzying pace. After all, scientists identified a new virus and created vaccines to protect against its most severe effects within a year.

But the research underpinning these vaccines isn’t that new at all, vaccine experts say. Some of it is decades old. This foundation, combined with technical expertise, urgency and financial resources, enabled scientists to pull off the medical marvel.

Kaiser Health News

Pregnant women 'didn't have the data' – until now: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, even for babies, study shows

COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective at protecting pregnant women and likely provide protection for their babies as well, according to a new study.

USA TODAY

'People see a light at the end of the tunnel': At vaccine sites, the mood is upbeat

It's never fun to wait in line. Even when the line ends in Billie Eilish tickets, a black Friday sale, or a roller coaster.

But if you lined up recently for one of the three COVID vaccines, now being rolled out at your local hospital, convention center, or megachurch, you may have noticed something odd. At least, we did.

My Central Jersey

'A step closer': COVID-19 vaccine recipients excited for a return to normalcy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that people vaccinated against COVID-19 can gather safely indoors and unmasked in small groups.

The news fuels a hopeful feeling among the thousands who have received the vaccine that life can start returning to the way it was before the pandemic.

News12 New Jersey

COVID vaccines given to 100 people at N.J. city’s homeless shelter

Pedro Carmenate is part of the halfway house program at the Rescue Mission of Trenton and Thursday he was the first in line to receive the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.

"I was against the vaccine in the first place but I changed my mind," he said.

NJ.com

Why one-shot J&J vaccine may greatly increase people willing to get vaccinated

The benefits of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine approved Saturday by the FDA are much greater than simply needing one shot instead of two.

Dr. John Bonamo, the chief medical officer for RWJBarnabas Health, said the properties around the J&J vaccine will enable it to be used on a large percentage of the population that otherwise likely would go without getting vaccinated at all.

ROI-NJ.com

COVID vaccines likely safe for pregnant people, doctors say. But more data is needed

Dr. Christine DeFranco cared for emergency department patients at St. Joseph's Health in Paterson at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, she was pregnant with her second child.

She watched pregnant people suffer and die from COVID-19 for months. So, when St. Joseph's got its shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, it was an easy decision for DeFranco to get the shot.

My Central Jersey

Should I Get the COVID Vaccine?

For family nurse practitioners like me, vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in our toolbox. From smallpox to polio, vaccines protect us and our families from preventable illness and death.

In the days ahead, you’ll be hearing a great deal about the COVID-19 vaccine. I wanted to share my thoughts as a nurse, as a mom and as a daughter to aging parents about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Nurse Talk | NJHA

N.J. ministers get their COVID vaccinations. Now they can spread the word.

Pastor Pamela Jones of Liberating Word Ministries in Newark was motivated to get Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine because four of her neighbors died of the illness.

NJ.com

University and college presidents of color say trust the science. Take the COVID shot.

As New Jersey’s college and university presidents of color, we share a duty to be advocates for knowledge, truth, equity and humanity. We have come together collectively to encourage our fellow members of Black and brown communities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. We believe and trust the science. We ask that you do, too.

NJ.com | Opinion

A Black physician who understands COVID-19 vaccine skepticism explains why he’s getting the shots

I have empathy for my patients who genuinely fear primary care medicine. And, still, I believe in and am looking forward to receiving this vaccine.

The Philadelphia Inquirer | Expert Opinion