COVID-19 Boosters Recommended

As this semester comes to a close, I want to thank you for your commitment and diligence to protecting yourself and others against COVID-19. The University’s layered approach to prevent the spread of the virus helped us to successfully resume in-person instruction and activities this fall. We should all be extremely proud of our high vaccination rate of more than 93% of employees and students fully vaccinated. Other strategies such as wearing masks, completing Hawk Check and frequent testing have contributed to our success.

Vaccination and Boosters Are Best Way to Protect You and Your Loved Ones

As the holidays approach you may be gathering with people from different households which could increase your risk of being exposed to COVID-19. I encourage you to add an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 by getting a vaccine booster as soon as you are eligible. If you received the J&J single dose vaccine, it’s particularly urgent for you to get a booster shot. Vaccination – particularly with a booster – offers the best defense against the coronavirus, especially the new omicron variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Monday now accounts for 73% of new cases. Booster shots are now recommended for everyone ages 16 and older. With omicron spreading so rapidly across the region and the world, getting a vaccine booster is the best way you can protect yourself and those you care about. If you have not already been vaccinated, now is a good time to talk to a trusted health care provider about how to best stay healthy. The decision is an important one.

Where to Get a Booster

You can use the NJ Vaccine Appointment Finder to locate a vaccine site near you. As with all COVID-19 vaccines, prescriptions are not required for boosters and there’s no cost to you. Appointments can be made at many pharmacies and county-sponsored vaccination sites. Additionally, Essex County offers vaccinations and boosters to any University employee or student, regardless of whether you live in the county. Make an appointment online on the Essex COVID-19 website or by phone at 973-877-8456. Please take the time to do this now for yourself and those around you.

Thank you so much for all that you have done individually and collectively on and off of campus to contribute to the health and safety of our community. We will get through this together and we will be stronger.

Have a safe and healthy New Year,

Patricia Ruiz, APN, DNP
Director, University Health Center