Hackensack University Medical Center Staff Receive COVID Vaccine

HACKENSACK, NJ — Hackensack University Medical Center employees were among the first in the state to receive the coronavirus vaccine Tuesday, a significant milestone in the state's fight against COVID-19.

The vaccine's arrival in Hackensack carries extra meaning, as the hospital was the first to admit a coronavirus patient in the state.

Chief Medical Officer Lisa Tank was the first employee to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which was livestreamed to the hospital's YouTube page this morning.

"I am humbled and privileged to be representing the HUMC team, but I'm also very cognizant of the lives that have been lost, and impacted, by COVID," said Tank. "It has touched our hearts, and it has totally changed the world we live in."

Watch it here:

The vaccine was administered by Emergency Medicine Chair Joseph Underwood, and met with applause by those gathered at the event.

CEO Robert Garrett said he hopes to have his staff vaccinated over the course of the next month, and added that the hospital's attention will quickly shift to Garden State residents.

"We are excited to be part of history as we start the process of vaccinating the people of New Jersey. It’s imperative that we remain vigilant in our fight against this global enemy and on behalf of families, our communities and our healthcare heroes," said Garrett.

Gov. Phil Murphy shared Garrett's sentiment that, although Tuesday signaled better days ahead, the Garden State isn't out of the woods yet.

"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.

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

Watch the historic moment below: