Credit: (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
May 19, 2021: Gov. Phil Murphy, center, at Island Beach State Park, where he announced the state will give free season-long admission to this and other state parks to any New Jersey resident who has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine by July 4. Other incentives include a free glass of wine at participating wineries.
Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that it will be a challenge for New Jersey to reach the COVID-19 immunization goal he set early this year and announced several new incentive programs designed to encourage more residents to get vaccinated.
The state has launched other such reward programs, like an arrangement with breweries that enables newly vaccinated individuals to get a free beer, and it has partnered with churches and other community organizations to encourage people to be immunized against COVID-19. But the pace of daily COVID-19 shots has slackened significantly in recent weeks and Murphy appeared concerned that New Jersey can still inoculate 4.7 million people over age 16 before July.