Coincides with Gov. Murphy’s Decision to Move into Phase 1B, Which Includes All First Responders;

Top Priority for Hackensack Meridian Health Continues to be 100% Voluntary Participation in Phase 1A

(January 7, 2021) Edison, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Health, the largest and most integrated health network in New Jersey, today announced that it is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to New Jersey’s dedicated first responders including fire, police and EMS personnel.

The decision follows Gov. Murphy’s announcement on January 5 that the State of New Jersey is moving into phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations. First responders are among the eligible groups in Phase 1B.

Fire, police and EMS can schedule appointments to get vaccinated at any of Hackensack Meridian Health’s 10 sites by visiting hmhcovidvaccinefirstresponders.org.

“New Jersey’s first responders are among the true heroes of this pandemic and we owe a debt of gratitude to their service, sacrifice and willingness to stand with us on the front lines,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We hope this service helps protect those that have protected us and encourage them to get vaccinated for themselves, their loved ones and the communities they serve.”

Hackensack Meridian Health will continue to prioritize its frontline team members and physicians who are in group 1A and push for 100% voluntary participation in COVID-19 vaccinations.

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ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 17 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children’s hospitals – Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals – Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin; a behavioral health hospital – Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead; and two rehabilitation hospitals – JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 500 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has more than 36,000 team members, and over 7,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network’s notable distinctions include having four hospitals among the top in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report. Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and being named to Becker’s Healthcare’s “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2019” list.

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine opened in 2018, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its third class of students in 2020 to its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.