COVID Vaccine Marks A Special Anniversary At Bergen New Bridge

PARAMUS, NJ — Bergen New Bridge joined other hospitals across the state in administering the first batch of COVID-19 vaccinations Friday.

At New Bridge, transporter James Nettles celebrated his 41st anniversary with the company by marking another milestone when he became the first employee to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Nettles, in a statement, said he transported the first COVID-19 recovered patient from the hospital's ICU to the front door.

"I have called this hospital home for 41 years. I transported our first COVID-19 recovered patient from ICU to our front door, and I have seen what this virus can do," said Nettles. "I got vaccinated so I can help stop people from getting sick and dying from COVID and to encourage others to get the shot so we can all get back to living."

Nettles joined others at New Bridge in getting vaccinated, including President and CEO Deborah Visconi.

"A day of firsts for us as we began our vaccination program. On his 41st hospital service anniversary, transporter James Nettles was our first staff member to receive the COVID vaccine early this morning. What a terrific anniversary gift! Thank you Jimmie for all you do," hospital officials wrote, in a Facebook post.

Visconi, for her part, wanted to set an example by receiving the vaccine, she said.

"We want all of our staff to get the vaccine. It is safe and effective. I would not ask my staff to do anything I wouldn’t do," Visconi said.

In November, Visconi told Patch that the hospital had updated protocols and was preparing for an uptick in cases, though noted that cases seemed less severe.

"The surge we anticipated was going to come is here," said Bergen New Bridge CEO Deborah Visconi.

"Bergen County, once again, is one of the hotspots in the north," she added.

Like other medical professionals, Visconi and New Bridge took today to celebrate a step in the right direction in the state's fight against the coronavirus, but won't let their guard down.

In Teaneck, Holy Name Medical Center administered vaccines Thursday.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: First COVID Vaccines Administered At Teaneck's Holy Name

The first vaccine in the state was administered to emergency room nurse Maritza Beniquez at University Hospital in Newark.

"Although I'm living proof that PPE functions has kept me safe while at work, I'm honored to be the first person in New Jersey to receive this vaccine, which will limit the possibility of me contracting this disease and unknowingly transmitting it to others," she said.

READ MORE: First COVID-19 Vaccines In NJ Bring Hope To Embattled Hospital

Though hospital staff and officials have expressed hope on the horizon, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday it was no time for residents to let their guard down.

"This is a day that we have been waiting nearly a year for, and while we know this isn't the end, we are witnessing, at the least, a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel," said Murphy.

"Without question, we are still in for several hard months and we are going to face stiff headwinds from this second wave, but now our heroic frontline health care workers can begin to take care of their fellow New Jerseyans with a higher degree of confidence in their own protection," he added.