PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J.—The mayors of Montvale, Park Ridge, and Woodclif Lake report good news following a call with state officials and the Bergen County health department.
Referring to a call on Feb. 11, Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali wrote residents, “In the next two to three weeks more vaccines are coming our way. We addressed the possibility of having a three-town (Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake and Montvale) combined local site, and that process is in the works right now.”
He said, “In the meantime, our Montvale Health Commission is going to be helping residents 65 years of age and older [who] can’t access the vaccine portal. And those who are homebound and can’t drive, let us know and we will provide transportation.”
Ghassali said, “We need to provide the vaccine to the segment of our population that is most vulnerable and want the vaccine. If you or you know someone who needs this help, please share this information with them.”
Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna wrote his constituents of the call, “Many residents have reached out about a local clinic… We have made it clear to state and county health officials that if there is an opportunity, we would be more than willing to provide any infrastructure needed to operate a local
clinic.”
He said “While, due to supply, that opportunity is not being afforded to us right now, we are hopeful that will change and we will be able to partner with our surrounding towns to offer a local clinic. Stay tuned as we remain willing to do whatever is necessary to facilitate local administration of vaccines as soon as we are given the go ahead by health officials.”
Misciagna also noted that CVS had recently opened up its scheduling portal and that the demand had exceeded available slots. “New appointments will be added. Again, like with all the online scheduling, persistence is key.”
Hillsdale Mayor John Ruocco also reported on the call, “a county-wide call with the governor’s staff [and] attended by local and county officials, local hospitals, and other organizations that are administering the vaccine.”
He said key takeaways included:
- “The county [was to] set up an inbound/outbound call center to follow-up with residents, especially those with special needs, to see if they are getting the necessary vaccines. To do this effectively, they will be contacting the Office of Emergency Management and nursing staffs of all the municipalities for information.”
- Supply continues to be extremely limited, and state officials do not expect to receive an increase in the regular supply for another two weeks.
- Most of the various sites administering the vaccines are able to give out the dosages, but are unable to reach their maximum capacity due to supply shortages.
- There is widespread acknowledgment that inventory controls at many sites need to improve, so that second dosages are not given away as first dosages, leaving those who were able to get their first dosage scrambling for their second dosage when the time comes.
- Valley Hospital has focused on serving the needs of Paramus and Ridgewood residents, but will be expanding its coverage soon. Englewood Hospital is already doing that.
- Northwest Bergen Regional Health Organization, which services Hillsdale and many other towns in the northern part of the county, could begin to receive a supply of the vaccine in the future for distribution to their clients, but that is at least three weeks away, probably longer.
- The focus of the state allocation process now is to ensure that concentrated populations of underserved communities are not shut out of vaccine availability.
- The governor is expected to be expanding further, over the next several weeks, the list of those who are eligible to receive the vaccine; this is expected to include first line workers (e.g., grocery store employees) and teachers.
- The borough will make every effort to keep you informed of key developments in the future through the town-wide email system. In the meantime, please continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on social distancing, mask wearing, and regular hand-washing.
Ruocco said, “I know many of us are frustrated by our inability to get an appointment, including myself. I am told that it is always darkest just before the dawn. Stay healthy and safe!”
For the latest information on vaccine and testing centers in Bergen County, follow Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco III on social media.
