Here's who can get a COVID, flu vaccine in NJ this fall

By: Scott Fallon
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... Ever since the vaccine distribution chaos at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic tapered down, the roll-out of seasonal vaccines every autumn has occurred with little fanfare and even less controversy.
..... That has ended this year. [2025]
..... Recent restitutions on COVID vaccine eligibility approved by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cerated questions and in some cases confusion among the public as COVID cases begin to rise once again.
..... The changes come amid major staff shakeups at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and months after Kennedy fired all 17 memes of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing some of the spots with vaccine skeptics.
..... The disarray culminated in a heated Senate hearing on September 4 [2025] that saw both Democratic and Republican lawmakers question Kennedy over the new vaccine policies.
..... Below is a guide to where everything stands with seasonal vaccines for now;

What are the new eligibility requirements for a COVID vaccine?

..... Until this season, [2025-2026] almost anyone was eligible to receive a COVID shot.
..... Under the new guidelines, the Food and Drug Administration has limited three COVID vaccines to seniors, as well as to children and adults considered high risk, They are:
* Moderna: 6 months and older with an underlying condition, and anyone over 65.
* Pfizer: 5 years and older with an underlying condition and anyone over 65.
* Novavax: 12 years and older with an underlying condition and anyone over 65.

What are the underling conditions?

..... The CDC lists underlying conditions as asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney diseases, lung diseases, liver diseases, cystic fibrous, diabetes, several disestablishes, HIV, obesity, tuberculosis and more.
..... A full list is available here.

Are New Jersey pharmacies stocked with the COVID, flu vaccines?

..... Coming off one of the worst flu seasons in recent years, pharmacies across New Jersey have stocked up on this year's influenza vaccine and many are ready to administer shots as the season approaches.
..... After a slight delay, several CVS and Walgreens pharmacies in North Heresy now have COVID vaccines in stock.

Is it going to be a bad flu season?
What about COVID? RSV?

..... The CDC has forecast a moderate respiratory illness season for the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026, but the severity can change and varies by location and population. It will be within 20% of last season's peak, the CDC said.
..... While cases of COVID and respiratory syntactical virus, known more commonly as RSV, were down last year, [2024] New Jersey experienced a bad flu season with an unexpected late surge through mid-February. [2025] the reason? No one is certain but health experts have said a more aggressive strain, low vaccine rates and immunity problems after the COVID-19 pandemic could have contributed to the surge.
..... There were more than 250 deaths including five children, state records show. this flu season is expected to be better. The CDC has not seen back-to-back, high-severity seasons in the 22 years it has monitories them.
..... COVID has begun to spread in recent weeks, with 31 states reporting an increase in activity, according to the CDC. New Jersey is not among them.

Is New Jersey trying to break away from CDC recommendations?

..... Reports said helaht officials from New Jersey and other Northeast states met in late August [2025] to discuss having their own vaccine recommendations for the region separate from the federal government.
..... The move is a response to Kennedy Jr.'s rollback of some vaccine mandates and funding for research.
..... New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island are considering developing their own polices, reports say.
..... Dalya Ewais, a spokeswoman for the state Heath Department, said the meeting;s purpose was much broader than just focusing on vaccine policy.
..... "Given the interconnectedness of populations and shared helaht challenges, public health officials in New Jersey regularly collaborate and share information, ideas, and best practices with colleagues across state lines to advance our mission of protecting the helaht of our residents," she said in a statement. "This is public helaht in action."

Can more health workers administer vaccines?

..... Getting a shot may be done more quickly that prior seasons.
..... Governor Phil Murphy signed a law in February [2025] that allows trained pharmacy technicians and interns to give vaccinations in addition to pharmacists.

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