COVID-19 Nurse Is First To Get Vaccine At RWJ Hospital Somerset

SOMERVILLE, NJ — It was a "no brainer" for Jennilyn Juan, a nurse working on the COVID-19 floor at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, to be the first to get the vaccine on Monday.

"The vaccine not only protects me and my loved ones but the community," said Juan, who works at the hospital in Somerville and lives in Metuchen. "It's our duty to get the vaccine and show everyone that it is very safe to do so."

The hospital opened its employee vaccine clinic at 7:30 a.m. to its high-risk, frontline employees and medical staff Monday. The vaccine has been shown to be 95 percent effective and requires two doses received 21 days apart. The vaccine is voluntary for employees and medical staff and is being offered free of charge.

Juan was the first at the hospital at 110 Rehill Ave. in Somerville to get the COVID-19 Pfizer- BioNTech vaccination due to her position falling under the high-risk category.

"I was so excited to get the vaccine. It's a huge milestone in our fight against COVID," said Juan. "I really want to be protected for myself, my patients, and my family."

Due to her high-risk position, Juan has limited her exposure to others especially her parents.

"I haven't seen my mom and dad in months because I don't want them to get sick," said Juan.

Working at the hospital for the past two years, Juan has seen firsthand what the coronavirus can do to others.

"COVID is a disease that can affect anybody no matter your age, race, or gender. I've seen young people with no prior medical conditions become very sick with the virus," said Juan. "It's very scary. I never want to get it or pass it on to friends or family or any of my neighbors."

Juan encouraged everyone to get the vaccine once it becomes to the public citing her faith in science.

"They should get it to not just protect themselves. We already know the effects of COVID are very dangerous and make you very ill and could potentially kill you. Why wouldn't you want to be protected?" said Juan. "For me, it's a no-brainer."

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