N.J. to Open Vaccines to Residents 16 and Older on April 19

(Bloomberg) -- New Jersey will open Covid-19 vaccinations to people 16 and older starting April 19, Governor Phil Murphy announced Monday, saying the move was “our most aggressive push yet.”

The state had said all adults would be eligible for the shot by May 1, in line with a goal set by President Joe Biden for universal adult eligibility. But other states, including neighboring New York and Connecticut, announced earlier eligibility dates as vaccine supply began ramping up.

The governor, at a Trenton virus update, also announced the discontinuation of some travel restrictions. Those who are fully vaccinated and travel domestically no longer must self-quarantine upon their return and don’t have to get tested before or after the trip, he said.

Shots are currently available to New Jersey residents 55 and over. Also eligible are people with certain medical conditions and essential workers in industries like health care, hospitality and education.

New Jersey has administered 4.9 million doses, enough to cover 28% of its population, according to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker. New Jersey is slightly above the U.S. average of 25.5%.

The state has the highest level of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the U.S. after Michigan over the last seven days, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At 277 deaths per 100,000 residents in the last seven days, New Jersey has the highest rate of Covid deaths in the country.

New York and Connecticut will permit shots for those 16 and over starting Tuesday. Pennsylvanians 16 and over will qualify on April 19. All 50 states have announced dates for universal vaccine eligibility through May, according to a Bloomberg News tally.

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