Gov. Murphy Urges Patience, Fix For NJ COVID Vaccine Shortage

TRENTON, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged during his Monday news conference that New Jersey is inundated with demand for the coronavirus vaccine — and he's urging patience and says he's searching for fixes because of the state's vaccine shortage.

He also acknowledged that there appears to be confusion over where to sign up and when and where to get a second dose. The state Department of Health even acknowledged getting at least 30 emails from people who expressed concern that they couldn't get a second dose scheduled.

"We continue to ask for patience; all we need are these doses," said Murphy. "We will get it there. We are ready to kick into high gear whenever our supply increases."

"It won't be tomorrow; it probably won't be next week. But everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated," the governor promised. "There is far more demand than we have actual supply of doses available."

The shortage is so bad that the Gloucester County mega-site ran out of vaccines on Monday and wasn't able to make appointments, Persichilli said. They're slated to resume on Tuesday. Read more: No 2nd Dose Appointments Made At COVID-19 Vaccine 'Mega Site'

The Meadowlands mega-site ran out, too, and was closed on Tuesday. Read more: 2 Mega-Sites, Including Meadowlands, Close COVID Vaccines

She also said that she's reiterating to these sites that they have to schedule a second dose before the person leaves. Some sites have been directing the public to book their second dose online, which Persichilli said was "not best practice." Read more: NJ: COVID Vaccine Sites Must Schedule 2nd Doses. Some Didn't.

Murphy said he doesn't expect the timeline of dispensing the vaccine will be delayed, but more doses will likely come "in the middle and back end" by the spring.

Speaking Monday in Trenton, Murphy did not hide his frustration, not only with the vaccine shortage, but also with Walgreen's.

Murphy has been critical of the federal partnership made with CVS and Walgreens to give out the vaccine. He also said the Trump administration "overpromised and undelivered" on the vaccine.

Walgreens has large amounts of vaccine doses, which they've been giving out to nursing homes, but they've been "punching under their weight, particularly Walgreens, and that's where most of the yet-to-be used doses are," Murphy told CNBC last week.

"We do know that more vaccine will arrive in coming weeks and months. Right now very limited appointments are available," said Persichilli. "Johnson & Johnson will likely be approved in the coming weeks, adding to our vaccine supply. Other states are having similar vaccine shortage issues. This is a huge undertaking. Unlike anything we have ever done before."

So far, New Jersey has given out 565,401 total vaccinations and the state is averaging 25,000 vaccinations per day.

On Monday, the state launched a telephone number hotline that people can use to book vaccine appointments. That phone number, 855-568-0545, launched at 8 a.m. Monday and received 17,000 phone calls in the first hour. There are also 2.9 million people who signed up on the state portal (https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/).

"We expected a lot of people calling and they did," said Murphy. "We are doing our best even with the limited weekly supply (of the vaccine) we are receiving."

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This article originally appeared on the Woodbridge Patch