NJ offering free wine to get COVID vaccine this month

Nine wineries in New Jersey are offering a free glass of wine for anyone who lives, works or studies in the state and gets the COVID-19 vaccine in May.

That’s on top of 34 breweries across the state offering a free glass of beer to anyone over the age of 21 who gets the vaccine.

“Every New Jerseyan who gets their first shot before the end of May – so this includes everyone who has been vaccinated over the past five-plus months – is eligible to win a private dinner with us and their guest at historic Drumthwacket, the official Governor’s residence in Princeton,” Murphy added. Or they could opt for the governor’s shore house in Island Beach State Park. And the state is offering free passes at its 51 state parks for anyone who gets the vaccine before July Fourth.”

All four incentives are part of the state’s “Operation Jersey Summer,” meant to fully vaccinate 4.7 million New Jersey adults by the end of next month, representing 70% of the state’s adult population.

There are currently over 3.7 million people who’ve been fully vaccinated. The last slice of unvaccinated residents is comprised of those skeptical of the vaccine, those outright opposed to the shots, and those who simply lack the means to go out and get a shot.

Kids between the ages of 12 and 15 can now also get vaccinated, and Murphy said they will be part of a broader vaccination push on top of the 4.7 million adults.

Vaccines are widely accepted as a key metric to fully lifting COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and public gatherings meant to keep the virus in check.

Some of the most aggressive reopenings went into effect on May 19 for businesses and public gatherings. Masks indoors are nonetheless required.

“Go out and get your shot in May, then head out to one of these great participating wineries, take a walk through the vineyards, and enjoy some of the best that Jersey has to offer,” Murphy said in his prepared remarks today at Island Beach State Park on the Jersey Shore.

Here are the nine wineries where you can get your free glass this month:

• Amalthea Cellars in Atco
• Auburn Road Vineyards in Pilesgrove
• Bellview Winery in Landisville
• DiMatteo Vineyards in Hammonton
• Salem Oak Vineyards in Pedricktown
• Terhune Orchards in Princeton
• Tomasello Winery in Hammonton
• Villa Milagro Vineyards in Pohatcong
• White Horse Winery in Hammonton

More broadly, the outreach efforts include hundreds of canvassers who will knock on doors across the state to promote the vaccine and available sites, coordination with local religious and community leaders, walk-ins at the six vaccination mega-centers, dosage supply to local officials and medical offices, and a focus on urban, lower-income and typically Hispanic and African American neighborhoods where vaccination rates have lagged the most across the state.

Most of the vaccines administered come from Pfizer and Moderna, which both require two doses spaced roughly a month apart. Murphy said that “in the next day or two,” the state will have gotten at least one shot into the arms of 70% of adults.