COVID-19 Updates

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19:

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, and symptoms range from mild to severe.  The CDC lists the following as common symptoms of COVID-19:  

• Fever or chills 
• Cough 
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing 
• Fatigue 
• Muscle or body aches 
• Headaches 
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat 
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Diarrhea 

If you have these symptoms or have been in close contact (less than 6 feet away for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider or public health official.

If someone shows any emergency warning signs of COVID-19, please seek emergency medical care immediately and call 911.  Emergency warning signs of COVID-19 may include: 

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest 
• New confusion 
• Inability to wake or stay awake 
• Bluish lips or face 

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM COVID-19: 

NJDOH and CDC recommend these steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Getting vaccinated, everyone ages 6 months and up is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 
• Wear a mask in public to cover your nose and mouth (Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance) 
• Maintain 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, avoid large crowds 
• Wash your hands often using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and rub your hands until they feel dry
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth 
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve, not your hands
• Stay home if you are sick and look out for symptoms of COVID-19 
• If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, call your healthcare provider or local health department and get tested 

GETTING TESTED FOR COVID-19: 

Testing for COVID-19 is important to help slow the spread of disease.   Testing is available to all New Jersey residents, you do not need health insurance to get a test.  The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) especially recommends testing if you: 

• Have symptoms of COVID-19 (even if you are fully vaccinated or have recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past 3 months)
• Have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated or recently recovered.
• You were recently in a large gathering where social distancing was hard to maintain or a crowded indoor setting and are not fully vaccinated or recently recovered.
• You must travel and are not fully vaccinated, get a viral test 1-3 days before travel and 3-5 days after travel.

See more information on testing recommendations and types of tests from the NJDOH 

• NJDOH test site finder 
• Order no-cost home testing for NJ residents 
• Free PCR testing for all (regardless of insurance or citizenship status) – Olden Pharmacy is a participating location in Hamilton, NJ 

VACCINE INFORMATION

About the COVID-19 Vaccine:

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine are the current products available.  Data from the manufacturers and clinical trials have shown all vaccines to be safe and effective.  The mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are the preferred products by the FDA and CDC.   Please visit the following links for more information on the COVID-19 vaccines, including eligibility, safety, and FAQs: 

• NJDOH: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine 
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html 

Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine: 

All New Jersey residents ages 6 months and up can get a COVID-19 vaccine.  Many clinics and vaccine providers are now accepting walk-ins or same day appointments.  There are several vaccination sites throughout the state.  To find a vaccine appointment near you please click here.  Upcoming local clinics will also be posted on the Township website under “Meetings & Events” https://hamiltonnj.com/ 

The Hamilton Township Division of Health can assist Hamilton residents with the following: 

• Locating a local vaccine appointment or clinic for any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine  
• Scheduling a home visit for the COVID-19 vaccine 
• Answering questions about the vaccine and providing referrals 
• Scheduling community pop-up vaccine clinics at your organization, workplace or neighborhood in Hamilton Township

Contact Information for the Hamilton Township Division of Health: 

• Phone: 609-890-3884 or 609-890-3825
• Email: covidvaccine@hamiltonnj.com

Need a Ride to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine? 

• Call 2-1-1 to schedule a Free or Discounted Lyft Ride to and from your vaccine appointment 
  1. Ride United Flyer for COVID-19 Vaccine (English) (Spanish)
  2. Ride United can also be used for other needs (English) (Spanish)

COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children:  

Children ages 6 months – 5 years are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.  The current products available include: 

• Pfizer Bivalent vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years.  This is a three (3) dose vaccine.  Doses one and two are separated by 3-8 weeks.  Dose three is given 8 weeks after dose two.
• Moderna Bivalent vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years.  This is a two (2) dose vaccine.  Dose two is given between 4-8 weeks after dose one.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines for young children please click here! 

To schedule an appointment for your child to get vaccinated with the Division of Health please call 609-890-3825 or email covidvaccine@hamiltonnj.com 

COVID-19 Vaccines for People who are Immunocompromised: 

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may have weakened immune systems and are at-risk for experiencing severe COVID-19 illness.  

Vaccination recommendations for this group of people differ. Please click here for more information on the vaccine schedule for immunocompromised individuals. 

People who are severely or moderately immunocompromised includes people who have: 

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

If you or your child are immunocompromised inform your vaccine provider.  If you are unsure if you are immunocompromised talk to your healthcare provider. 

BIVALENT COVID-19 VACCINES: 

What is the updated (bivalent) vaccine: 

1. The updated (bivalent) booster contains components to protect against the original virus strain and the Omicron variant. Omicron is currently the most common variant circulating in NJ.  For more information, please click here. 
2. The original (monovalent) vaccines are no longer authorized for use. 

Recommendations: 

1. Everyone 6 years and older should get 1 updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they’ve received any original (monovalent) COVID-19 vaccines.
2. Adults 65+ can receive a second bivalent booster at least 4 months after their first bivalent booster. 
3. Children ages 6 months – 5 years are recommended to receive at least one bivalent dose.  Click here for more information on the number of doses children in this age group should receive.   

For more information on being up to date with COVID-19 vaccines click here!  

To view the current vaccine schedule and recommendations please see the following resources:

• Interim Clinical Considerations 
• Infographic of Vaccine Dosing by Age 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Information on Travel 

Travel Info and Advisories from the CDC 

Travel Info from the NJ Dept. of Health 

Where to Find Additional Factsheets and Information Regarding COVID-19: 

NJDOH Communicable Disease Service- Information for Communities and the General Public 

Where to Find Additional Factsheets and Information Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines:  

NJDOH Communicable Disease Service – COVID-19 Vaccines 

CDC – Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines 

Manufacturer Vaccine Fact Sheets by Brand 

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Fact Sheets: Click Here

Moderna Vaccine Fact Sheets: Click Here

Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Vaccine Fact Sheet: Click Here

Novavax Fact Sheet: Click Here

NJDOH Guidance for COVID-19 for Certain Populations: 

COVID-19 Information for Communities 

COVID-19 Information for Schools (Child Care, K-12, Camps and Colleges/Universities)

COVID-19 Information for Businesses 

NJ Guidance for Sports Activities