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HEALTHCARE

HEALTHCARE

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center ’ s COVID‐19 Vaccine Equity Campaign

Improving vaccine access in underserved communities is vital .
Compiled by John Joseph Parker Contributing Editor

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is leading the way to improve access to the COVID‐19 vaccine in Black and Brown communities by joining forces with the County of Bergen , Greater Bergen Community Action and the Bergen Coalition of Black Clergy .

The newly created COVID‐19 Vaccination Equity Team has reserved weekly vaccination appointments at the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Alternative Care Annex for Black and Brown Bergen County residents . The program debuted in February with 35 community and clergy members receiving the vaccination as a public gesture of confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine .
“ This pandemic has highlighted healthcare inequity in many communities which can only be countered by putting our words into action ,” explains Deborah Visconi , president and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center . “ Through this new initiative , our medical center will be a source of information and support , and work to ensure vaccination appointments are reserved and easily accessible for our Black and Brown neighbors .”
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Bergen New Bridge Medical Center , a clinical affiliate of Rutgers , is a 1,070-bed hospital — both the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in New Jersey and the fourth-largest , publicly-owned hospital in the nation .
“ Greater Bergen Community Action has a mission to provide economic opportunity to under-resourced communities ,” says Lynne Algrant , VP Planning , Development & Communications for Greater Bergen Community Action . “ Now more than ever , health is wealth . Helping vulnerable communities navigate the vaccine process is imperative and we are proud to have been able to play a role .”
Greater Bergen Community Action ( GBCA ) is a 501 ( c )( 3 ), not-for-profit Community Action Agency . Established in 1967 , Greater Bergen is part of a nationwide network of poverty-fighting enterprises which were established as part of the nation ’ s effort to address the intractable and persistent problem of poverty in America .
The danger of racial disparity among vaccination rates in Bergen County is compounded by the reality that communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID‐19 . As of Friday , February 12 , 2021 , of the 139,337 doses administered , only 2 percent went to African Americans , 6 percent to Latinos and 7 percent to Asian Americans .
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center President and CEO Deborah Visconi , Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco and Reverend Gregory Jackson with some of the first people vaccinated through the COVID‐19 Vaccination Equity Program .
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center President and CEO Deborah Visconi
With awareness of this inequity and the resources to combat it , this COVID‐19 Vaccine Equity Team has been assembled to help bridge the gap .
“ The Black Church has been the safety net for our people throughout history and we continue to be ,” says Rev . Gregory Jackson , retired pastor of Mt . Olive Baptist Church and coordinator of Bergen Black Clergy Against COVID‐19 . “ In this fierce battle for our lives , we sought , as partners , institutions committed to bringing resources to people who are at great risk .”
The Bergen Coalition of Black Clergy Against COVID‐19 is an informal group organized by Rev . Gregory Jackson and Greater Bergen Community Action . The Coalition was formed in December 2020 to insure that the Black community has the information they need from trusted sources to make a decision about the vaccine and has access to the vaccine throughout Bergen County .
“ The County and Bergen New Bridge continue to partner to lead the way out of this pandemic , first with testing and now with vaccinations ,” says Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco , “ It is a privilege to demonstrate our commitment to equity by working with Greater Bergen Community Action and the Bergen Coalition of Black Clergy to put forth our plan
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