COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are now available for Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

With the holidays approaching and the Delta variant continuing to impact New Jersey, all eligible individuals are encouraged to get a booster shot as they consider travel and gatherings for the holiday season.

For individuals who received the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at least six months or more after their second shot:

• 65 or older
• Long-term care residents
• Adults with underlying medical conditions
• Adults who work or live in a high-risk setting

By Monday, November 1st, all workers in child care facilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be subject to regular COVID-19 testing.

A number of workers in New Jersey are already subject to a requirement to be vaccinated or undergo regular testing:

• All workers in certain state and private health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings
• All workers in preschool through Grade 12 schools
• All workers at state agencies, authorities, colleges and universities
• All new state contracted workers

Employers can impose more stringent vaccination or testing requirements on workers, including any requirement for more frequent testing, for testing of both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff, and for mandatory vaccinations without a testing alternative.

As of May 2021, New Jersey does not have any travel advisories in effect.

However, all travelers are encouraged to follow travel recommendations from the CDC, including:

• Delay all travel until you are fully vaccinated
• If you are unvaccinated and do travel, get tested before and after travel and stay home for seven days after travel
• Follow the requirement to wear a mask on public transportation and in transportation hubs
• Check with your destination and transportation carrier to see if there are any additional health and safety protocols or requirements

In addition, all air passengers arriving to the United States are required to get tested for COVID-19 and present a negative test result. As of November 8th, unvaccinated travelers arriving to the United States by plane must be tested within one day of their departure, while fully vaccinated travelers can be tested within three days of their departure. All international travelers should get tested 3-5 days after travel, monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, and get tested if they develop symptoms.

Help is available to help you pay your utility bills.

New Jersey’s grace period on utility shut-offs expires at the end of 2021. If you’re behind on your utility bills, your service may be disconnected after December 31st.

• Many households are newly eligible for financial assistance programs, including utility debt forgiveness and home energy assistance. You can apply for help now using the DCAid screening tool from the NJ Department of Community Affairs.
• If you’re behind on your utility bills, contact your utility as soon as possible to enroll in a Deferred Payment Agreement to lower your monthly payment and keep your service on.
• Learn more about utility assistance from the NJ Board of Public Utilities.

Docket is an app from the NJ Department of Health that makes it easier for you and your family to securely access your COVID-19 vaccination record.

If you don't have your vaccination card with you or have lost it, you can easily access your record through the app to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as needed.

The Docket app is now available in the App store or on Google Play.