‘Godsend’ N.J. nursing students are helping administer COVID-19 vaccines

“In general, I’m usually anti-vaccine,” said Schinita Melvin, of Trenton.

But due to what she called “the seriousness of this (coronavirus) that’s going around,” combined with a lack of information about what having the disease could do to a person long-term, she made her appointment and came to the Ewing Senior and Community Center this week to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which was being administered by nursing students from the College of New Jersey.

“And I think it’s important for, definitely us Black and brown people to get it and be seen getting it,” she added, addressing a concern among some people of color who are reluctant to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines at Ewing Senior Center

People wait to be vaccinated.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann was on hand Wednesday, observing what was the second day of vaccinations at the center. All together, 13 student nurses vaccinated about 300 people on Wednesday.

“It’s a godsend that we have all these nurses from the College of New Jersey come over. They’re very polite and everybody’s appreciative when they walk out of here. Two hundred fifty shots were distributed yesterday and 300 today and it’s been going like clockwork.”

Wife and husband Alissa & William Suthpin, of Princeton, both got vaccinated. Alissa didn’t bat an eye when TCNJ student nurse Mohamad Jrad administered the vaccine.

“I knew in my brain I should have a better chance against the virus getting the vaccine,” she said, adding that she was glad her husband joined her. “We’re delighted to be together on this.”

COVID-19 vaccines at Ewing Senior Center

Alissa Suthpin, of Princeton, gets vaccinated by TCNJ student nurse Mohamad JradMichael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

COVID-19 vaccines at Ewing Senior Center

At right, William Suthpin, of Princeton, gets vaccinated by TCNJ student nurse Laura Budryk.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

COVID-19 vaccines at Ewing Senior Center

Laura Paravecchia, of Hamilton gets vaccinated by TCNJ student nurse Laura Budryk.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

TCNJ nursing students have been busy vaccinating people, including the mayor of Trenton at Fire Headquarters last week. They are scheduled to be at RWJ Hamilton in February, according to Tracy Perron, PhD, RN, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing. Since doses expire quickly after they’re thawed, if there are ever any unused vaccines at the end of a day, volunteers are offered the shot, or calls are made to get people in.

“We’re not wasting the (vaccine),” Perron said. “There’s no way on God’s green earth we’re wasting a dose.”

She echoeed the sentiment expressed by Mercer County Communications Director Julie Wilmot last week at the Cure Insurance Arena vaccination site: “For every entity in the state that’s delivering this, the motto is ‘No dose left behind.’”

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Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com

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