"Smokers Get COVID Vaccine First?" [Correspondent Diary]

Non-Smoking Residents Frustrated Over Vaccine Delays
New Jersey Grants Priority Vaccination to Smokers Aged 16-64
Same Priority as Cancer, Diabetes, Chronic Lung and Kidney Patients
Priority Also Given to Teachers, Public Transit Workers
Authorities Say "Smokers Have Higher Potential Risk"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Controversy has erupted in New Jersey, USA, over the prioritization of COVID-19 vaccination.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on the 14th (local time) classified smokers along with patients aged 16 to 64 with underlying conditions such as cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and chronic lung disease as priority groups eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Considering that the allowed vaccination age is 16, all smokers are effectively prioritized for vaccination.

Business Insider reported that about 2 million smokers in New Jersey have gained vaccination priority. With New Jersey’s population at 8 million, this means one-quarter of the population can get vaccinated before non-smokers. This implies that smokers get vaccinated before teachers and city bus drivers, alongside healthcare workers, police officers, and firefighters.

This decision came shortly after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination beyond those aged 75 and older, healthcare workers, and long-term care facility residents. The CDC had stopped reserving vaccines for second doses to expand vaccination eligibility.

The decision sparked widespread anger amid the ongoing situation where about 4,000 deaths occur daily in the U.S. due to COVID-19, but vaccination is delayed.

A New Jersey resident criticized the state government's measure on Twitter that allows smokers to receive the vaccine before teachers.

A New Jersey resident working at a bank, classified as an essential facility, protested, saying, "I cannot understand why smokers get vaccinated before essential workers who have to go to work every day." He was particularly outraged that smokers who can work from home get vaccinated before non-smoking essential workers.

Teachers also rose up. The New Jersey Teachers Union expressed concern, stating, "We are disappointed that smokers can get vaccinated before all teachers and staff under 65 receive their vaccinations."

Even those who quit smoking are furious. They complain that they were encouraged to quit smoking for their health and public health, but were excluded from vaccination priority.

An asthma patient said, "I have had asthma for three years, yet the vaccination priority was taken away by smokers. Is this fair?" The CDC recognizes smoking as increasing disease risk but also acknowledges that asthma may increase risk. However, in the COVID-19 pandemic situation, smoking is considered more dangerous than asthma.

Dissatisfaction is also detected in the Korean expatriate community. One expatriate said, "I quit smoking, but now I might have to smoke again to prove I am a smoker." Another non-smoking expatriate lamented, "Should I at least use a nicotine patch?"

In New Jersey, some people are beginning to consider smoking in order to get vaccinated.

As criticism intensified, New Jersey health authorities explained that smokers were included in the initial vaccination because they are at higher risk if infected with the COVID-19 virus. The Department of Health stated, "Our goal is to save as many lives as possible and promote vaccination for the groups at greatest risk. Smoking is a leading preventable cause of death not only in New Jersey but across the United States."

Medical professionals support the state government’s position. Professor Jen Coddle of Rowan University School of Medicine in New Jersey explained the background of this measure, saying, "Smoking weakens the immune system and reduces the ability to respond to certain diseases."

Kennedy Janti, president of the New Jersey Medical Association, also said, "For smokers, the vaccine can be the line between life and death." He added, "There may be complaints about this measure, but from the state government’s perspective, it is about lowering the fatality rate and saving more lives."

Demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is growing, but supply and vaccination speed are not improving much. According to The Washington Post, as of the 14th, only 288,000 people in New Jersey have been vaccinated, which is less than 4% of the total population. New Jersey has secured only 731,000 doses of the vaccine.

According to Worldometer, New Jersey has a cumulative total of 620,000 COVID-19 infections and 20,453 deaths. Recently, 6,000 to 7,000 new infections are reported daily.