By Donald Gilpin

For the first time since March 10, 2020, the Princeton Health Department on Monday, May 17, reported no active cases of COVID-19 in Princeton. There were zero new cases reported in the previous seven days, and only 1 new case in the previous 14 days.

An executive order signed last week by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy implementing additional easing of COVID-19 restrictions in New Jersey went into effect on Wednesday, May 19. It includes removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, and houses of worship; an end to the limit on outdoor gatherings; and an increased indoor larger venue capacity.

Indoor mask rules will remain in place, Murphy announced, but the state’s outdoor mask mandate and its travel advisory requiring quarantines have both been dropped as of Monday, May 17. Murphy also announced on Monday that virtual learning would no longer be allowed to schools after the end of this academic year.   

Princeton Board of Health Chair Meredith Hodach Avalos described her mixed feelings of “cautious optimism” in response to recent COVID news. “Optimism, because we have had declining cases of the virus and high rates of vaccination locally, 12-15 year olds are now eligible, and more studies are demonstrating how highly effective the vaccines are at preventing illness and spread of the virus,” she wrote in an email. “But cautious because some members of our community have not been vaccinated yet and thus remain vulnerable to the virus.”

She continued, noting further concerns, “Vaccination rates are variable in our county, state, country, and obviously our world — so the pandemic is not really over for any of us as long as it continues to ravage elsewhere. In addition, there are many secondary impacts on health we need to address coming out of the acute phase of the pandemic.”

Princeton Health Officer Jeff Grosser noted that the Princeton Health Department continues to adapt to the changing landscape of the pandemic. Between 6 and 9 p.m. on May 14 the health department vaccinated close to 100 people in front of La Mexicana on Witherspoon Street.  “As demand for the vaccine is decreasing, the department is taking vaccines to individuals closer to where they live and setting up pop-up sites in locations where community organizers have identified demand,” said Grosser.

The Princeton Health Department will be providing a pop-up vaccination clinic during the Princeton Farmers Market at 46-80 Franklin Avenue this Thursday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines available. To schedule an appointment, email Vulnerable Population Outreach Coordinator Gwen Kool at gkrol@princetonnj.gov.

The Princeton Health Department is also looking forward to continuing its work with Princeton University, which has opened its clinic for Princeton residents. Grosser pointed out that the University has the necessary ultra-cold freezer to store the Pfizer vaccine and has worked effectively in collaboration with the Princeton Health Department nurses. Last week the CDC accepted a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to expand the use of the Pfizer vaccine to 12-15 year olds.

Princeton University’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics are open to the public, now including 12-15 year olds. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered in clinics at Jadwin Gym on campus on Wednesday, May 19, 2-7 p.m.; Friday, May 21, 12-5 p.m.; Thursday, May 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday, June 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, June 2, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, June 4, 12-5 p.m.; Tuesday, June 8, 2-7 p.m.; Wednesday, June 9, 2-7 p.m.; and Friday, June 11, 12-5 p.m.

Individuals should register with the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System (covidvaccine.nj.gov) to secure an appointment. Limited walk-ups are also possible.

Mercer County, in partnership with Capital Health, is offering COVID-19 vaccinations without an appointment at the CURE insurance Arena on Wednesday, May 19, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Moderna); Thursday, May 20, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (J&J); Friday, May 21, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Moderna); and Saturday, May 22, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Moderna).

In partnership with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Mercer County is offering Moderna and Pfizer vaccines at the Mercer County Park Skating Center on Thursday, May 20, 2-6 p.m. and Friday, May 21, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration with the NJ Vaccine Scheduling system is encouraged but not required for vaccinations at the CURE Arena and the Mercer County Park Skating Center.

Avalos, who is an internist affiliated with Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, discussed the importance of COVID vaccinations. “The vaccines we have are safe and highly effective for protecting yourself (or your eligible kids) from getting very sick, as well as preventing spread of the virus to others. While younger teens (12-15) who have recently become eligible for the Pfizer vaccine are at lower risk of severe illness than older adults, some kids still do get very sick with the virus, and vaccination will protect them.”

She continued, “In addition, vaccinating children is an important part of our effort to further drive down the spread of the virus in the community and enable a return to normal schooling, camps, gatherings, sports, and all the activities that are important for young people’s development. For these reasons a lot of kids (including my own newly-eligible teen) are very eager to get their vaccine, but may need encouragement from their families, friends, pediatricians, and other trusted community members.”

The COVID-19 vaccine may now be given at the same time as other vaccines, Avalos added, as a reminder for any children who have fallen behind in routine vaccinations during the pandemic.

Avalos went on to express her appreciation to the Princeton Health Department staff, “who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to contact trace; provide residents with resources for testing, isolation, and quarantine; advise our municipality, businesses, care facilities, and schools; and provide vaccines and outreach to vulnerable members of our community.”

She also expressed her gratitude to all the individuals and organizations who have stepped up to provide support to community members during the crisis.

Taking a broader perspective as she looked ahead, Avalos emphasized the importance of heeding the lessons learned in the past 15 months. “These lessons include the need to strengthen the ability of our public health system to monitor and protect the health of our community; the crucial synergy of various community groups and organizations working across sectors to address public health problems; and the importance of understanding and addressing the non-medical vulnerabilities and inequities that lead to disparities in health,” she said.

Discussing the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on vulnerable populations and racial and ethnic minorities, Avalos pointed out, “It has highlighted the urgency of addressing those social determinants of health (including equitable access to health services, food and housing insecurity, structural racism, and social and community support) which leads to this disproportionate vulnerability, not only to pandemic illness but also to chronic illness, climate change, and other emerging threats to our health.”