New Jersey Starts Nursing Home COVID Vaccines Monday

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A nursing home in Old Bridge was selected as the first long-term care facility in the state to start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, as New Jersey kicked off its ambitious plan to start inoculating all 83,000 nursing home residents and staff.

Residents and staff at Roosevelt Care Center on Marlboro Road started receiving their first shots at 9:30 Monday morning. Governor Phil Murphy and state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli were on site at the facility.

In total, 291 nursing homes in New Jersey will get the vaccine; it is unknown why Roosevelt was chosen for the kick-off. The long-term care vaccinations will continue through the beginning of February, with more sites to be added in the coming weeks. The long-term care facilities are using the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two injections spaced 28 days apart.

Nursing home vaccinations were actually delayed by one week because the state of New Jersey missed a federal deadline to apply; the state wanted to start the vaccinations Dec. 21. Related: No Nursing Home COVID-19 Vaccines On Monday; NJ Missed Deadline

The first person who got the vaccine was resident Mildred Clements, who turned 103 on Christmas Eve. She was wheeled out to get her shot and nurses tied "happy birthday" balloons to her wheelchair while she waited. She said she felt like a star, and was tired but excited to get it over with. Gov. Murphy told her “it’s an honor to meet you,” minutes before she got her shot.

Afterward she said she “it felt okay.”

“Mildred, we’re starting a new road right now,” said Bentzy Davidowitz, a Roosevelt administrator.

Resident Rosemary Connelly, 92, was next in line. She said she was getting the shot so she could see her family again. Prior to the pandemic, Connelly's daughter used to visit every day in the past two years she's lived at the home.

In 2020, Connelly hasn't seen her daughter in person since March.

“I’m just happy to see my family soon,” she said. “I recommend it to everyone.”

This comes as the state announced six state-run sites will open in early January 2021. They will immediately vaccinate front-line healthcare workers, and then continue giving the shots out to the general public that wants one. Vaccinations started in New Jersey's hospitals Dec. 15. The six sites are:

• Atlantic County: Atlantic City Convention Center
• Bergen County: Racetrack at Meadowlands, East Rutherford
• Burlington County: Moorestown Mall
• Gloucester County: Rowan College of South Jersey, Sewell
• Middlesex County: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Edison
• Morris County: Rockaway Townsquare Mall

The nursing home vaccines are being given out through a partnership between the state of New Jersey, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and CVS and Walgreens. The vaccines are provided by CVS and Walgreens, whose staff will travel to all 291 nursing homes in the state to give out the injections on site, using the Pfizer vaccine.

Gov. Murphy said the plan prioritizes individuals living in high-risk, congregate settings, such as nursing homes, veterans' homes and assisted living facilities.

“Long-term care facilities across New Jersey and the entire nation have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the governor. “Over the past nine months, we have paid an incredible cost, but today is another positive step forward in our fight against this virus."

Nurse Esther Moodey Nurse Moodey, who has worked at Roosevelt for the past fourteen years, said she was "thankful and honored" to be getting the vaccine. She is a mother of four.

“So far, so good,” she said after receiving the vaccine while sitting for the 15-minute post-vaccine observation. “I’m excited. It’s an honor.” She urged everyone eligible to get the vaccine.

CVS Health Regional Director Kat Kingston was also on site at the Roosevelt Care Center Monday.

“Today’s roll-out is the culmination of months of internal planning and demonstrates how the private sector can use its expertise to help solve some of our most critical challenges,” said Larry Merlo, the CEO of CVS Health.

Another Roosevelt employee who got the shot Monday was Jill Strus, 35, who works as an accountant for the nursing home.

“I’m feeling excited and a little nervous. I’ll do anything for my family and kids.” she said. “I’m sending a message to family and my children to always protect everyone, and to never give up.”

She said she’s looking forward to the vaccine being widely distributed.

With pool reporting from Sophie Nieto-Munoz, Statehouse Reporter, NJ Advance Media/NJ.com.