What to know
- New Jerseyans had short access to Hackensack Meridian Health’s vaccine registry portal, despite limited eligibility so far reserved for medical personnel and first responders
- Hackensack Meridian says it will email those not yet qualified that their appointments will be canceled
- More than 214,000 people in the state have already been vaccinated with the vaccine, Murphy told his briefing on Monday; nearly 15,000 of that group have received their first and second admission
Residents of New Jersey began enrolling over the weekend to get their COVID-19 vaccinations, except they shouldn’t be unless they’re medical personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, or first responders.
Hackensack Meridian Health system, the largest hospital system in the state, says on Sunday that the vaccine registry portal has been opened to anyone who had the link because it had no filter to ensure that those in the 1A and 1B vaccine priority were the only people who could register.
The link to the registry somehow started going to people in other groups and an unknown number of people enrolled, according to the hospital system.
Hackensack Meridian says it will email those not yet qualified that their appointments will be canceled.
“We’ve added additional educational information, as well as improved ID requirements to ensure that only those eligible for the vaccine get it, in accordance with New Jersey and federal guidelines,” Hackensack said in a statement to NBC New York.
Meanwhile, IT engineers are busy all night putting a filter on their registration portal. A hospital system spokesperson added that no one who was not qualified to receive a dose has received an injection at this point.
“We understand that many in our communities are eager to get vaccinated. Once allowed by state and federal guidelines, we will make the vaccine available to the general public,” the statement continued.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced last week that police and firefighters were eligible for the vaccine. Health professionals and patients in long-term care facilities are still given top priority to receive the vaccine.
More than 214,000 people in the state have already been vaccinated with the vaccine, Murphy revealed during his briefing on Monday. Nearly 15,000 of that group have received their first and second admission. Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the goal is to complete the vaccination of health and vital workers – more than 3 million people in total – by May.
The state’s COVID dashboard has been expanded to show a breakdown between counties, as well as the gender, race, and ethnicity demographics of the vaccinated population of New Jersey.
Gov. Murphy will deliver his State of the State address Tuesday at 1 p.m.