Sarah Bennett
New Jersey has various vaccination requirements and recommendations in place. For COVID-19 vaccines, while they are not mandatory for the general population, certain institutions like hospitals have mandated booster shots for their employees. Additionally, New Jersey is one of the states where pharmacists can only administer COVID-19 vaccines to individuals who meet specific FDA and CDC guidelines. The state also encourages residents to stay up to date with routine vaccinations, such as the MMR vaccine, to prevent the spread of diseases like measles. New Jersey also has specific requirements for rabies vaccination in dogs, with all dogs over 7 months of age being required to be licensed and vaccinated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 Vaccination | Everyone 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. |
| The FDA has approved new COVID shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for adults 65 and older. | |
| Moderna's vaccine is the only COVID shot approved for children as young as 6 months, but they must have at least one underlying condition. | |
| Pfizer's vaccine is available for kids as young as 5 if they have at least one underlying condition. | |
| The Novavax shot is only available to kids 12 and up with underlying conditions. | |
| The CDC does not recommend immunization for healthy children and pharmacists in 19 states, including New Jersey, can only give vaccines to people who qualify under FDA and CDC guidelines. | |
| Rabies Vaccination | New Jersey requires a 10-day confinement and observation period for biting animals. |
| Dogs being imported into the state must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days of travel, but a rabies vaccination is not required for importation. | |
| All dogs over 7 months must be licensed (and therefore vaccinated) within 10 days of arrival. | |
| Dogs arriving with a valid rabies vaccination certificate from another state may qualify for licensure if the duration of immunity extends through at least 10 of the 12 months of the licensing period. | |
| The state allows veterinarians to use discretion in selecting a 1-year or 3-year labeled rabies vaccine. | |
| Measles Vaccination | New Jersey's vaccination level recently dropped to 92%. |
| The MMR vaccine is administered in two doses and protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccines for children
In New Jersey, everyone aged 5 and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and is encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. This includes children, for whom the vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. The vaccines are important in protecting against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death, and also lower the risk of developing long COVID.
The state's recommendations match those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which say that those aged 6 months and older should receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Moderna's vaccines have been approved for administration to children as young as 6 months old if they have an underlying condition, while the Pfizer vaccine is available for children aged 5 and above with underlying conditions.
According to the CDC, only 13% of children received an updated COVID-19 vaccine during the last season. This low uptake among children could be attributed to the FDA's restrictions on vaccine access for younger individuals. Under the Trump administration, health officials emphasised the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for older, high-risk Americans, noting that more research is needed to assess the benefits for younger, healthy individuals.
The FDA's approval of the new COVID-19 vaccines is specifically for individuals aged 65 and above, or those younger with underlying conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19. These restrictions have made it more challenging for younger, healthy individuals to access the vaccines, as they now require a trip to the doctor instead of a pharmacy, and insurance coverage for this scenario remains unclear.
However, it's important to note that New Jersey's recommendations differ from the FDA's limits, and the state encourages all residents aged 6 months and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is particularly crucial for the 2021-2022 school year, as the highly transmissible Delta variant poses an increased risk to children, and there have been cases of rare complications such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) in the state.
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Vaccination requirements for pets
In New Jersey, there is a strong emphasis on staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent serious illness and protect the community. While there is a general recommendation for everyone aged six months and older to get vaccinated, the focus is on those aged 65 and above, high-risk individuals, and people who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine before.
Now, when it comes to vaccination requirements for pets in New Jersey, there are specific guidelines in place:
- Rabies Vaccination: New Jersey requires all dogs being imported into the state to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by a licensed veterinarian to prevent the spread of rabies. The state also mandates that animals must be vaccinated against rabies by seven months of age. Interestingly, New Jersey is one of the few states that allow licensed veterinarians to exempt an animal from the rabies vaccination requirement for medical reasons. This exemption is valid for up to one year, and the veterinarian and owner must sign the NJDOH Certificate of Exemption.
- Distemper and Rabies Vaccines: Most pet care facilities in New Jersey will require dogs and cats to have their Distemper and Rabies vaccines up to date.
- Bordetella Vaccine: This vaccine is often required for dogs by pet care facilities.
- Leukemia Vaccine: Some facilities may also require cats to have the Leukemia vaccine.
- Other Vaccines: Depending on the recommendations of your veterinarian, your pet may also receive vaccines that protect against a range of diseases, including Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvo Virus, and Coronavirus.
It is important to consult your veterinarian for specific advice regarding your pet's vaccination needs and to stay informed about any changes in vaccination requirements in New Jersey.
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Booster shots for hospital workers
In New Jersey, there is currently no mandate requiring individuals to be vaccinated. However, the state has experienced a drop in its vaccination rate, which is now at 92%. This has contributed to the recent exposure of measles in a preschool in Bergen County. The state encourages all residents to stay up to date with their vaccinations, including MMR shots, to protect themselves and their communities.
For healthcare workers in New Jersey, staying up to date with vaccinations is especially crucial. They are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 due to frequent contact with patients infected with the virus. Vaccinations can help reduce their risk of getting sick and prevent the spread to others. During the 2023-2024 season, the COVID-19 vaccine was effective in reducing hospitalizations and severe illness.
For the upcoming 2024-2025 season, it is recommended that healthcare workers get updated with the new COVID-19 vaccines to protect against currently circulating variants. This is particularly important as vaccine protection decreases over time, and the virus is constantly evolving. The updated vaccine will help protect against severe illness, lower the risk of hospitalization and death, and reduce the chances of developing Long COVID.
To enhance the immunization ratio for booster shots, it is important to address the potential adverse effects and consequences of post-vaccination. By incorporating this information into vaccine awareness programs and policies, it can boost the intention to acquire booster shots among healthcare workers. Additionally, understanding the rationale and willingness to receive booster shots among healthcare workers can help increase vaccination trust and enhance immunization acceptance in the general public.
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Measles vaccination rates
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). It can also lead to miscarriage, premature birth, or low birth weight in pregnant people. In order to prevent the spread of measles, health officials state that at least 95% of the local population needs to be vaccinated.
New Jersey has recently experienced a decline in its vaccination rate, dropping below the recommended threshold to 92%. This decrease has contributed to an adult measles outbreak in the state. As of September 2025, there have been a total of 1,431 confirmed measles cases reported in the United States, with New Jersey being one of the affected jurisdictions.
The state has reported several potential measles exposures, including at a preschool in Bergen County. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has been alerting residents to these exposures and urging them to stay up to date on their vaccinations, specifically the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is administered in two doses and offers strong protection against measles and its complications.
It is important for New Jersey residents to ensure they are up to date on their MMR and other routine vaccines, especially before traveling. International travel can increase the risk of measles exposure, and the disease can easily spread within communities where groups of people are unvaccinated. By maintaining high vaccination rates, New Jersey can help prevent the spread of measles and protect its residents from this highly contagious disease.
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FDA approval for new COVID shots
In New Jersey, there is no explicit mention of a mandatory vaccination policy. However, the state encourages all residents to stay up to date on their routine vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Keeping up with COVID-19 vaccines is recommended to prevent severe illness, protect the community, and stay safe.
As for FDA approval for new COVID shots, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. These vaccines target newer variants of the continuously evolving virus. However, the FDA has imposed new restrictions on their use. The updated shots are approved for all seniors but are limited to younger adults and children with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma, obesity, or underlying health conditions. This change in policy has created confusion and concerns about access, especially for those who may want to get vaccinated but no longer qualify under the new criteria.
The new restrictions have generated mixed responses. Some critics argue that the restrictions will create barriers to vaccination and cause confusion for patients, doctors, and pharmacists. On the other hand, health officials under President Donald Trump have emphasized that the benefits of COVID vaccination are clearer for older, high-risk Americans, and more research is needed to assess the benefits for younger, healthy individuals.
The updated COVID-19 shots from Pfizer and Moderna have received restricted FDA approvals, with the administration limiting their use to specific age groups and individuals with underlying health conditions. The new Comirnaty vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech targets the LP.8.1 sublineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moderna has also secured approvals for its LP.8.1-tailored versions of Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE. For individuals under 64 years of age, the FDA mandates the presence of at least one underlying high-risk condition.
The Novavax vaccine, which is the only traditional protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, is approved for individuals 12 years and older. Moderna's Spikevax vaccine is approved for children as young as six months but is restricted to those with at least one serious health problem. The FDA's decision has sparked discussions about insurance coverage, with private insurance providers indicating their potential continued coverage of COVID vaccines for anyone who gets a shot, even for younger, healthy adults. However, they are awaiting further guidance from the CDC's advisory panel.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no legal requirement to be vaccinated to enter New Jersey. However, it is strongly recommended that you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines to prevent serious illness and protect the community.
In New Jersey, most children are vaccinated at a young age. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is typically administered in two doses. While it is not mandatory, the state encourages all residents to stay current with their routine vaccinations, including the MMR shots.
There are no statewide COVID-19 vaccine mandates in New Jersey. However, certain institutions, such as the University Hospital in Newark, have implemented their own mandates, requiring employees to receive booster shots.
New Jersey has specific requirements for rabies vaccination in pets, particularly for dogs. Dogs over 7 months of age must be licensed and vaccinated within 10 days of arriving in the state. The state allows veterinarians to use their discretion in selecting a 1-year or 3-year rabies vaccine.
You can receive COVID-19 vaccines at CVS locations in New Jersey, even without a prescription. Additionally, the state offers various medical facilities and pharmacies where vaccinations are available.
