As Springfield, Massachusetts-based Big Y embarks on the anniversary of its first year’s effort to vaccinate the community, the company says it has conducted 105,000 vaccinations in 2021.
These shots include 12 different types of vaccines including COVID-19, seasonal flu, Shingrix, pneumonia, T Dap, Hepatitis A and B, meningococcal, MMR and HPV.
In total, they have administered about 75,000 COVID-19 vaccines including regular and boosters of Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, about 25,000 seasonal flu shots and about 5,000 of their other offerings. Prior to this massive effort, Big Y’s pharmacists administered about 22,000 vaccines a year.
In addition to the immunization program at each Big Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center, the company has offered more than 200 off-site vaccine clinics in order to further its assistance within the community. These clinics include public and private schools, senior centers, nursing homes, manufacturing plants and local businesses in order to provide more convenience, access and availability.
As another part of its initiative, the company has held several Big Y “Big Vax Week” events for customers, employees and their families in order to make it even easier to get one of the many vaccines offered.
Big Y pharmacists continue to follow the CDC’s recommended guidelines as they have expanded throughout this past year. These changes encompass age and product availability updates as soon as they are released.
“We are so very proud of our pharmacy team’s continued efforts to promote the health of our communities. Their dedication to our neighborhoods is another way we showcase Big Y’s legacy of caring. By reaching a new milestone of 105,000 combined vaccines last year, we are grateful for the trust our friends and neighbors have in us,” said Charles L. D’Amour, Big Y’s president and CEO.
Another element of Big Y’s vaccination program has been the ability to provide valuable clinical experience for health care students at local colleges such as Elms College School of Nursing, Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Porter and Chester Institute’s Nursing Programs.
Big Y Foods Inc. is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Big Y operates 84 locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut including 71 supermarkets, Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors and 13 Big Y Express gas and convenience locations with almost 12,000 employees.
Big Y has been recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Employer in Massachusetts and Connecticut for the past three years, as well as 2018 Employer of Choice by the Employers Association of the Northeast. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two roads converge to form a “Y.”
For more information, visit bigy.com.
