[ad_1]
OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — There’s some hope being given to New Jersey’s oldest residents during the deadly pandemic.
Hundreds are getting their first rounds of the COVID vaccine.
As CBS2’s John Dias reports, at 103 years old, Mildred Clemence has had many firsts, and Monday she could add to that list as the first New Jersey long-term care facility resident to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“She survived infancy through the flu pandemic a century ago and today she represents the resiliency and fighting spirit of New Jersey,” said Gov. Phil Murphy.
JUST IN: First rounds of COVID 19 shots being administered at NJ long term facilities. Latest on @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/9d8ltDo7TP
— John Dias (@JohnBDias) December 28, 2020
She and other residents and staff at the Roosevelt Care Center at Old Bridge bravely sat through their first rounds of the vaccine after living months in fear.
“The vaccine brings hope, and optimism about the future and promise for a new normal,” said registered nurse Esther Moodey. She was the first staff member to get the vaccine.
“I felt normal, excited, to receive it. But it was beautiful, and I’m glad I got it,” she said.
To begin the process, over the next month residents and staff at about 90 New Jersey nursing homes will receive the first of two doses. The plan is already making major progress.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
“Almost 300 facilities have already been scheduled with our partnership with CVS,” said N.J. Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.
The COVID-19 virus has had a devastating effect on New Jersey nursing homes. Nearly 40% of the state’s coronavirus deaths are associated with them.
“Virus continues to enter our facilities with over over 400 reporting outbreaks,” Persichilli said.
WATCH: 1st COVID Vaccinations At Roosevelt Care Center In Old Bridge, N.J.
Which is why they were a top priority in the rollout, though delayed a week after the state missed a federal deadline by one day. New York and Connecticut already started. Murphy said the delay was due to “paperwork” and finalizing with Washington an exact number of allocations.
Monday, he said their application was more extensive than any other American state.
“We were going to reach out to a much more broader set of communities in our state, not just traditional long term cares and nursing homes, but to include homes for developmentally disabled and others,” he said.
The state hopes to vaccinate 70 percent of the eligible adult population in the next 6 months.
MORE FROM CBS NEW YORK
[ad_2]
Source link
