New Jersey begins inoculations for police, fire personnel

New Jersey began the next step of its vaccination process Friday, with police and fire personnel receiving their first inoculations.

“Throughout this pandemic, our first responders have continued to save lives and protect our communities, and I am proud today that we are able to provide them with this added level of protection as they continue to do their jobs,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

The new inoculations, made as part of the state’s phase 1B, were delivered at a regional vaccination center in Morris County, one of six mega-sites in the state that officials hope will ramp up the speed of the New Jersey’s vaccine deliveries.

Currently, the roughly 1,000 residents are being inoculated each week, a pace officials hopes will climb to roughly 2,400 innoculations each day.

“It’s been a long 10 months,” Lyons said. “After months of dealing with sick patients and people who are struggling to breathe, it’s a relief to know that I can go forward and do my job safely,” said Thomas Lyons, an EMT with the Pequannock fire and rescue squad. “It’s great that we’ve gotten to the point where we can vaccinate health care workers and first responders. Now I’m hoping my 80-year-old mother can get vaccinated too.”

The governor was joined at the mega-site by some of the state’s top officials, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli and Attorney Gurbir Grewal.

He was also joined by top officials from Morris County. They were State Sen. Tony Bucco (R-Boonton), Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Parsipanny), Rockaway Mayor Mike Puzio, County COmmissioner Director Stephen Shaw, County Commissioner Tayfun Selen, Sheriff James Gannon and others.