The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) submitted a draft COVID-19 vaccination plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 16, 2020. This plan will be updated in the coming months before the vaccine is approved and arrives in New Jersey. This page will give you a brief summary of what the plan contains. If you would like to read the plan in more detail, visit the covid-19 vaccination webpage.
Equitable Access - This is aimed at eliminating disparities by involving diverse partners to work on planning and delivery of the vaccine. This can be achieved by providing vaccine in safe, familiar locations; providing information in different languages; increasing reach into communities with information; considering cost options for the underinsured/uninsured and other vulnerable groups; and removing barriers.
Phased Approach - The plan accounts for three likely phases of vaccine supply and demand. 1.) limited amount of vaccine, 2.) supply that is able to meet the demand, and 3.) slowing public demand.
Public Confidence - NJDOH will raise awareness, provide education, and activate action among public health and health care partners and the public to address concerns using science-based, public health and medical information from trusted sources.
State Leadership - A “whole-of-government” approach is being taken, including all state departments to ensure that the vaccine is delivered equitably and that no group is unjustly left behind.
Expert Guidance - State leaders have drawn on subject matter experts and though leaders to guide New Jersey through this process and will continue to do so through the vaccine rollout.
Critical Populations - During Phase 1 it will be important to ensure that those most at risk of COVID-19 infection, those at risk of more severe illness or death, or those in underserved populations – including communities of color – who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic be among the first to be offered the vaccine.
Timely First-Dose Outreach and Second-Dose Reminders - Various methods to ensure that people receive the correct number of doses of vaccine and have a record to keep.
Efficient and Effective Local Delivery - Plans are in place for the use of PODs (Points of Dispensing) to be located across the state for convenient vaccine delivery. NJDOH is working with partner agencies to ensure proper handling and storage of vaccines.
Coordinated Inventory Management - NJDOH’s NJ Immunization Information System will serve as the central registry,ordering, and reporting system for COVID-19 vaccine to ensure appropriate allocation of resources.
Statewide Program Monitoring -Throughout the process, measures to monitor the vaccine program will be taken to ensure the program is progressing to plan and so that corrective actions can be taken when necessary.
Please download the plan by clicking on the button below.
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