SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y, in both their Massachusetts and Connecticut stores, has tallied a combined total of 105,000 vaccinations. 

 

These shots include 12 different types of vaccines including COVID, seasonal flu, Shingrix, pneumonia, T Dap, Hepatitis A and B, meningococcal, MMR, and HPV. In total, they have administered about 75,000 COVID 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. 

 

Before this effort, Big Y's pharmacists administered about 22,000 vaccines a year.

 

In addition to their immunization program at each Big Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center, they have offered over 200 off-site vaccine clinics to further their assistance within their community. These clinics include public and private schools, senior centers, nursing homes, manufacturing plants, local businesses, and other facilities to provide more convenience, access, and availability. As another part of their initiative, they've held several Big Y Big Vax Week events for customers, employees, and their families to make it even easier to get one of their 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.

 

Big Y's president and CEO, Charles L. D'Amour congratulated his professional pharmacy team on their accomplishment this past year. 

 

"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."

 

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 Gateway's, and Porter and Chester Institute's Nursing Programs.