Bergen County COVID Vaccine Call Center Opens To More Residents

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — County officials have opened the COVID-19 vaccination hotline to more people, allowing those 55 and older to schedule an appointment at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center over the phone.

Bergen County and New Bridge launched the call center in March to assist in scheduling the remaining residents who preregistered for the vaccine through the county's website, and then opened it for residents over 75 to schedule new vaccination appointments. Read more: New Bridge COVID Vaccine Call Center Opens To Some Bergen Seniors

The call center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and hospital and county officials see it as a way to make vaccine administration more equitable.

"Our seniors and those in our community struggling with the technology necessary to access our online registration needed help, and we heard them. Today's launch of the next phase our community vaccination help line demonstrates our firm commitment to hearing what our community needs, and rising to create a solution assuring equitable access for all to be scheduled for their vaccine," said New Bridge President and CEO Deb Visconi.

County officials confirmed with Patch on Tuesday that the New Bridge site only uses the Moderna vaccine, meaning there will be no impact from the pause placed on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week.

The county and New Bridge do have a limited supply of J&J vaccines, and will "pause administration of it consistent with CDC, FDA and DOH guidance," according to a county official. Read more: NJ Pauses Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine

They're joined by a number of hospitals, pharmacies and other clinics in Bergen County, and across the state, who say they'll follow state and national guidance. Read more: Many NJ COVID Vaccines Postponed, Rescheduled Now That J&J Paused

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