After Delayed Rollout, Tens of Thousands of Doses Sit Unused

Senator Kristin Corrado said deaths in New Jersey’s nursing homes tripled last month while the Murphy administration fumbled the distribution of the new COVID-19 vaccines.

“It’s beyond shameful how our nursing homes and veterans homes continue to be victimized by the Murphy administration,” said Corrado (R-40). “After the administration missed a federal deadline that delayed the beginning of vaccinations in our nursing homes by a week, we’re now learning that most of the State’s allotment of the vaccine continues to sit unused. It’s utter incompetence.”

Deaths due to COVID-19 in the state’s nursing homes tripled in December, surpassing the prior three months combined.

While the death toll surged, the Murphy Administration missed a federal deadline to detail the long-term care facilities that would receive the first round of vaccinations.

As a result of that failure to file simple paperwork, the first vaccinations in senior facilities were delayed from December 21st to December 28th.

Even now that vaccinations have finally begun, a report published this weekend highlighted that the Murphy Administration hasn’t used more than 70% of the vaccine it was provided.

“Governor Murphy tried shifting blame to the feds after states had their allocations of the vaccine reduced, but he hasn’t even used the doses he was given,” said Corrado. “At some point he has to look in the mirror and accept responsibility for these mounting failures. These nursing home deaths are on him and his inability to properly manage this crisis.”

While nursing home fatalities are quickly mounting, the Murphy administration has given inmates in state prisons the highest priority for getting the shot in Phase 1A of its vaccination plan.

“At the same time that we have war heroes in our nursing homes who are dying while waiting for their shots, Governor Murphy is making sure the prisoners are taken care of,” added Corrado. “What the heck is he thinking?”