The New Jersey Assembly Health Committee cleared a bill introduced by Raj Mukherji (D-33) that would allow optometrists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
Bill A-5222 authorizes optometrists to administer vaccines related to public health emergencies – including the current COVID-19 pandemic – to adults.
“We’re all eager to see an end to this unprecedented crisis. A key factor influencing how quickly we can distribute vaccines to residents is how many health care professionals are available to help administer them,” Mukherji said in a statement.
“Expanding safe points of access for New Jerseyans to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will help our state get this pandemic under control more quickly and efficiently.”
The measure now heads to the assembly speaker for further consideration.