​Newark Hospital Begins Vaccinating Frontline Workers

NEWARK, NJ — Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey on Monday began the process of vaccinating its frontline employees.

In a news release, the hospital said it gave out its first vaccine on Monday to Vatesse Pleasant, a registered nurse, in its new vaccine clinic.

In a statement, Pleasant said the vaccine gives her peace of mind after working with patients who have the coronavirus.

“I’m excited to be able to visit my granddaughter again,” Pleasant said.

The hospital said it is working with the New Jersey health department in an effort to vaccinate 70 percent of the state's adults in six months while also vaccinating and protecting its own employees.

The vaccine, the hospital said, will be given first to health care workers at a high risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Hospital workers will be vaccinated over a six-week period, receiving a first dose in weeks one to three and a second dose between weeks four and six.