Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Available for Immunocompromised, Other COVID Updates

Dear Colleague,

Please see below for updated COVID-19 information, which was distributed by NJ.gov. There are five articles in this email:

1. A third COVID vaccine dose is recommended for individuals who are immunocompromised. To see additional information, including the definition of immunocompromised, please click on the link in the article below. If there are any questions on whether an individual with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) who is fully vaccinated (with two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine) is immunocompromised and should receive a third vaccine dose, please check with the person's health care provider.

2. Rental assistance and eviction protections.

3. All children ages 12 and older can receive the two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. If there are any questions on whether a child with IDD age 12 and older should receive this vaccine, please check with the child's health care provider.

4. You can download Docket to access vaccination records on your phone.

5. How to get vaccinated in New Jersey.

Please share this with others who may also be interested.

Thank you,

Bev

Beverly Roberts

Director, Mainstreaming Medical Care

The Arc of New Jersey

985 Livingston Avenue

North Brunswick, NJ 08902

Direct line and fax: 732.246.2567

[email protected]

www.mainstreamingmedicalcare.org

This Week's NJ COVID-19 Updates

Do you have questions about when and where you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, contact tracing, traveling to or from the State of New Jersey, or even finding a new job? The State of New Jersey offers up-to-date information, resources, and guidance at our COVID-19 Information Hub.

Third Vaccine Dose Recommended for Immunocompromised Individuals

People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems who have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should receive a third dose after the initial vaccine series. This additional dose is intended to make sure that immunocompromised individuals have enough protection against COVID-19, as they may not build the same level of immunity from the two-dose vaccine series as people who are not immunocompromised. Any eligible person can get a third dose at any existing vaccination location – they should bring documentation of the vaccine doses they have received.

Separately, New Jersey is preparing for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for the general public, pending federal approval and recommendation. A booster dose is a supplemental dose of vaccine given to people when the immune response weakens over time.

Learn More

Rental Assistance and Eviction Protections

Governor Murphy signed legislation introducing critical protections to renter households who experienced economic hardships during the pandemic and the CDC has separately issued a temporary eviction moratorium. To take advantage of state and federal protections, you should complete both the State's self-certification form and the CDC declaration at covid19.nj.gov/renter.

If you need help paying for your rent, apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program provides rental arrears and temporary rental assistance to low-and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic. By August 31st, 2021, the rental assistance program will expand its scope of eligible applicants to include additional middle-income households. Landlords may apply on behalf of tenants, with the tenant’s permission.

Learn More

It’s Time to Get Back to School — Children 12+ Should Get Vaccinated

All children ages 12 and older can receive the two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

To be protected for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, parents should get their children vaccinated as soon as possible. The highly transmissible Delta variant poses an increased risk to children and there is an urgent need for everyone to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing you from getting sick. They are the most important tool for ending the COVID-19 pandemic and getting back to what you love.

12-to-17-year-olds must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to be vaccinated.

Learn More

Download Docket to Access Vaccination Records on Your Phone

Docket is an app from the NJ Department of Health that makes it easier for you and your family to securely access your COVID-19 vaccination record.

If you don't have your vaccination card with you or have lost it, you can easily access your record through the app to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as needed.

The Docket app is now available in the App store or on Google Play.

Learn More

How to Get Vaccinated

Everyone 12 or older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing you from getting sick.

Use the NJ Vaccine Appointment Finder to find available vaccination appointments near you or sites with walk-in vaccinations.
Find pop-up COVID-19 vaccination events and mobile vaccination clinics in your community on the COVID-19 Community Calendar.

Learn More

You are encouraged to share this information with others who may also be interested. However, if you are forwarding this, please delete the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email. If you do not remove the "unsubscribe" option and a person who receives your forwarded email clicks "unsubscribe," it would result in your name being removed from our distribution list.

Click here to see The Arc of NJ's COVID-19 information and resource page.

Click here to access information from the State Of New Jersey on COVID-19.