The first resident will be vaccinated at University Hospital in Newark.
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Murphy made the announcement via Twitter.
Murphy told ABC's "This Week" program that he will be on hand Tuesday morning at University Hospital in Newark for the first COVID-19 vaccinations. He said the bulk of the 76,000 doses constituting the first batch of the Pfizer vaccine will go to health care workers with some going to residents and staff at long-term care homes.
The governor said he believes that by April or May, everyone in the state will have access to one of the vaccines. He's urging people not to relax efforts to stem the spread of the virus, especially limiting holiday celebrations to immediate family, since he said 60 to 80 percent of transmission is now occurring in private settings.
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He says despite "good news" on a COVID-19 vaccine, "the next number of weeks are going to be hell, I fear, so we're begging with people to please, please, please don't let your guard down, even when you're in private settings."
New Jersey, like the rest of the country, has seen a resurgence of the virus, with daily caseloads climbing above their highest points in the spring. The rolling weekly average has also ticked up steadily.
Murphy announced 4,170 new positive COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the state total to 400,650 cumulative cases. Twenty-four new deaths have been reported. A total of 15,883 people have died from the virus in the Garden State.
MORE NEW JERSEY COVID NEWS
Remoting learning in Washington Township, New Jersey
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The decision was made after 41 new cases in Washington Township were reported on just December 6 alone.
Full pause on New Jersey indoor youth, adult sports begins Saturday
All indoor youth and adult sports in New Jersey are now suspended because of the climbing COVID-19 caseload. The pause began at 6 a.m. Saturday and goes until Jan. 2
Governor Murphy calls Rep. Matt Gaetz 'putz' after NY Young Republican gala held in Jersey City
Governor Phil Murphy is blasting the New York Young Republican Club, which held their annual event at Maritime Parc in Jersey City.
Governor Murphy calls Rep. Gaetz 'putz' after gathering
New Jersey moves on from Tri-State Travel Advisory
New Jersey announced Wednesday it is leaving what was formerly known as the Tri-State Travel Advisory. "As COVID-19 cases continue to rise at an alarming rate throughout our nation, New Jersey will no longer utilize previously outlined metrics to inform its travel advisory," Governor Phil Murphy said.
Hospitalizations on the rise
NJ hospitals handling influx of COVID patients, bracing for post-holiday surge
As COVID numbers rise throughout New Jersey, hospitals have seen an uptick in patients who can't fight the virus at home over the past month.
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Couple gives back to delivery workers after COVID-19 cancels their wedding
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A couple in Chicago is making spirits bright despite the pandemic canceling their wedding.
Biden predicts 'bleak future' if Congress doesn't act on COVID-19 economic stimulus
President-elect Joe Biden is predicting a "bleak future" if Congress doesn't take speedy action on a coronavirus aid bill amid a nationwide spike in the virus that's hampering the country's economic recovery.
UK defends COVID vaccine decision amid criticism it moved too fast
U.K. regulators went on the offensive Friday to beat back criticism that they rushed their authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine, saying they rigorously analyzed data on safety and effectiveness in the shortest time possible without compromising the thoroughness of their review.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
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Coronavirus testing near me
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.