Ridgewood's Valley Hospital Gets First Coronavirus Vaccines

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Valley Hospital joined a number of others in the state when they received the first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine late Thursday afternoon.

In a Facebook post from Valley Health System, the hospital said it will soon be able to vaccinate employees. In due time, they're hopefully to receive a shipment big enough to offer to the public.

"We are pleased to be able to begin to vaccinate our doctors, nurses, and other staff who continue to battle on the frontlines of the pandemic," officials said.

"In time, Valley and all healthcare providers expect to receive supplies large enough to begin vaccinating the public, and we will communicate those details to you when that day is in sight."

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.

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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.

Hospitals in Bergen County have also received the vaccine, and some employees have already been vaccinated.

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