​Mountainside Medical​ Vaccinates First Round Of Health Workers

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair's Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center last week began passing out coronavirus vaccines to its employees.

In a news release, the hospital said on Thursday it received 975 doses of the vaccine to distribute to and front line health care workers.

Tim O’Brien, hospital CEO, said in a statement that vaccinating hospital workers helps ensure the health of everyone.

“This vaccine provides a sense of relief for our team members who have been on the frontlines since the beginning of the pandemic,” O’Brien said in a statement. “By ensuring the safety and health of our team members and medical staff we can continue to take care of those impacted by this virus until the vaccine reaches the vast majority of the public.”

The first dose, the hospital said in a news release, was given to respiratory therapist Steven Sokolowski, who has worked at Mountainside Medical Center for over two ears.

“I’ve seen how a person can be affected by COVID-19,” Sokolowski said in a statement. “I took the vaccine because I want to protect myself and my family.”

The hospital said its first doses will go to emergency, intensive care and medical-surgical staff and will continue through the coming weeks.