The Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The CDC recommends the following as of October 31, 2024:
- People ages 65 years and older: those who are vaccinated under routine schedule are recommended to receive 2 doses of any 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer-BioNTech) separated by 6 months, regardless of vaccination history
- Exception: Unvaccinated people who begin their vaccination with 2024-2025 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine should receive 2 doses of Novavax + a third dose of any COVID-19 vaccine 6 months later.
- People ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:
- Unvaccinated: Receive a multidose series of age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine and 1 dose 6 months after completion of series.
- Vaccinated with multidose initial series: 2 age-appropriate doses of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine 6 months apart.
New Jersey's COVID-19 Information Hub answers your questions about COVID-19 and offers fast links for commonly requested information.
COVID-19 Vaccination & Boosters
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. CDC recommends the primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone ages 6 months and older. Updated Bivalent Pfizer and Moderna boosters that offers stronger protections against severe illness and death from the Omicron KP.2 variant are now available for everyone ages 6 months and older. The CDC offers additional guidance for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Vaccines are available to all New Jerseyeans at no cost, regardless of immigration or insurance status. New Jerseyans can get vaccinated by:
- Using the NJ Vaccine Appointment Finder for walk-in sites or to make appointments.
- Attending a local pop-up vaccination event.
- Calling the special Senior (65+) Hotline for vaccination by dialing 855-429-1168.
- Requesting in-home vaccination by calling 855-568-0545 or by completing the form online (Spanish form). This is only available to those who are homebound.
After receiving your vaccination, the Docket app, from the NJ Department of Health, will help you keep you and your family’s COVID-19 vaccination records securely at your fingertips.
Established Coronavirus Test Sites and Contact Tracing
If you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if you have participated in a high-risk activity, you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should be tested. Everyone is eligible for COVID-19 testing regardless of immigration or insurance status.
As of late September 2024, residential households in the U.S. are eligible for another order of 4 FREE at-home tests from USPS.com. Each order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
The FDA has approved extension dates for past Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests, stating the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life for various tests is longer than what was known when the test was first authorized. If you have any past COVID-19 tests at home, check for new extension dates with information provided by the FDA.
Next Steps After Testing
Follow instructions from your testing site to receive your testing results. If you test positive for COVID-19, you should follow the most up-to-date guidelines from the State of New Jersey. You may also be contacted by a contact tracer from the State of New Jersey with additional information. You should notify anyone you have had close contact with that they may have been exposed.
Call Line Opened to Answer Questions
Have your medical-related questions about COVID-19 answered by a healthcare professional by calling the Coronavirus Hotline at the New Jersey Poison Control Center at 800-962-1253. The hotline is available 24/7 and services are free and confidential. Information can be given in any language.
Current News from State Officials
Keep up with government actions being implemented to help the public by reading other press releases issued from the Governor's Office.