New Bridge COVID Vaccine Call Center Opens To Some Bergen Seniors

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The county has officially opened their vaccine call center to residents 75 and older. Now, those residents can schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center over the phone.

Bergen County and new Bridge launched the call center earlier this month to assist in scheduling the remaining residents who preregistered for the vaccine through the county's website. Read more: Bergen County, New Bridge Launch COVID Vaccine Call Center

The operation will now transition to take incoming registration calls for Bergen County residents aged 75 and older from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, county officials announced.

"I understand the difficulty many residents have been experiencing trying to register for COVID-19 appointments across the state, especially those who struggle with technology," said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.

"The number one goal of my administration is for Bergen County to reach herd immunity and as vaccine supply increases, we will work tirelessly to ensure that all who want a vaccine, can get one."

The county and New Bridge together have been working to make vaccine distribution more equitable in Bergen County, and this is just another step in that process, according to New Bridge President and CEO Deb Visconi.

"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 Visconi.

The county has started that process through the organization of the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Team. Read more: Bergen Co. Group To Address Racial Disparity In Vaccine Rollout

A Friday vaccination rollout is scheduled in Mahwah, and will be the first of three clinics offered to the Ramapough Lenape Nation, according to New Bridge officials.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, the County of Bergen, Greater Bergen Community Action and the Bergen Coalition of Black Clergy have formed the COVID-19 Vaccination Equity Team. The group has reserved weekly vaccination appointments at the Alternate Care Annex site for "Black and Brown Bergen County residents."

The COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Team will continue to schedule appointments for People of Color in the current priority group and to serve as an immediate and effective solution to common barriers by:

• Identifying qualified personnel who typically lack access, information and opportunity
• Providing assistance with the registration process
• Informing and educating the targeted demographic through trusted and knowledgeable sources
• Providing transportation to the vaccination site, if needed

To schedule a vaccination appointment residents 75 and older can call 201-967-4070. If no appointments are available, an agent will take the caller’s information and add them to a waitlist, county officials said.

All other eligible Bergen County residents must still visit www.BergenCovidVaccine.com to book an appointment.

For full information about getting a coronavirus vaccine in New Jersey, visit Patch's information hub.

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