Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday expressed optimism about the launch of a Covid-19 vaccine in New Jersey, but urged residents of the state to continue to follow public health protocols as hospitalizations increase.
“We’re still at the heart of things,” Murphy told CNBC’s “Squawk Box”. Vaccine distribution “is good news, but I think the next six, eight weeks will be very difficult in New Jersey and our country.”
“There’s a lot of fatigue, a lot of private broadcasting, a lot of vacation, cold weather, all of this is conspiring. So in the short term, I would just ask people to do the right things and keep their vigilance,” Murphy added.
The governor’s comments came when the first Americans out of clinical trials received a vaccine against Covid-19. The Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use permit for the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine on Friday, launching the complex logistics network that allowed health workers from several states to receive their initial shots Monday morning.
In New Jersey, the first vaccines for hospital staff will be delivered Tuesday morning at Newark University Hospital, according to Murphy. The state initially receives 76,000 doses, which is enough for 38,000 people to be vaccinated, as it requires two shots. From there, Murphy said each week the state would receive “a larger batch” of Pfizer-BioNTech doses “until it reaches a plateau earlier in the year.”
Murphy also noted that the Modern Covid-19 vaccine could be approved soon, with the FDA meeting later this week to review its application for emergency use authorization. Should that happen, New Jersey anticipates “another series of deliveries over time,” Murphy said.
The launch of a coronavirus vaccine in New Jersey and the country in general is reaching a critical juncture. The seven-day average of new daily infections in the U.S. is at a record high of 213,748, according to a CNBC analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The average of seven days of deaths per day for Covid-19 is 2,403, according to CNBC analysis, which also represents a record high during the pandemic. That was up 9% from a week ago.
Hospitalizations are rising in 24 states, including New Jersey and Washington, DC, according to a CNBC analysis of data from the COVID Tracking Project, run by journalists at The Atlantic.
Murphy said he understands Americans are exhausted by pandemic restrictions, and said, “I know it stinks. Who doesn’t have fatigue, including yours?” However, he asked people to hold small holiday meetings in December between individuals “inside your bubble,” in addition to continuing to wear masks and maintain social distance.
“It’s a basic set of principles, but they’re the ones we have to trust. The new jerseys have been amazing. We just need another kick, especially when we’re on vacation,” Murphy said.