Springfield, Massachusetts-based Big Y Pharmacy reports that its vaccination numbers are increasing daily as 2022 comes to a close.
Part of that effort was Big Vax Week, which spanned Big Y’s 73 locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut through a combination of pharmacy locations and on-site clinics for customers, employees and families.
While clinic locations offered seasonal and high dose flu as well as COVID-19 vaccines, in-store pharmacies offered additional vaccines such as Pneumococcal (pneumonia), Shingrix (shingles), Tdap (tetanus, diptheria and pertussis), Hepatitis A and B, Meningococcal (meningitis), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and Guardasil (HPV).
Big Y Pharmacy teams administered about 16,000 vaccines split between flu and COVID-19 vaccines during its 2022 Big Y Big Vax week.
Overall, Big Y Pharmacies have administered more than 30,000 flu shots this year, a record number for the chain.
In the U.S., this flu season has been one of the most significant in recent memory with nearly 15 million illnesses, 150,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths, according to CDC estimates. Each Big Y Pharmacy location still offers flu vaccines and no appointment is necessary.
Over the past year, Big Y has expanded its pharmacy program to support all of its immunization efforts and community outreach, including adding the new position of immunization coordinator.
“I am so very proud of our incredible pharmacy staff for their extraordinary efforts this past year. Their dedication to protecting individuals continues to show Big Y’s impact in the communities we serve,” said Elaine Zimnoski, Big Y’s immunization coordinator.
“Our goal with expanding our immunization program is to reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses everywhere. We understand the importance of assisting our communities and providing access to preventable health care through services such as immunizations. I am grateful for the trust our patients have in us. Our professional pharmacy teams look forward to continue to serve communities in 2023.”
More information can be found at bigy.com/pharmacy.
