By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Franklin County, MA) Big Y is ready to help with the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The large chain grocery store announced today that 33 Big Y Pharmacy and Wellness Centers will be distributing free vaccines when they are available and ready. Currently Big Y distributes yearly flu vaccines, and personnel are ready to take additional training to safely distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Big Y’s pharmacy team currently provides seasonal flu and other routine vaccines. They plan to participate in any additional training to ensure the safe administration of the vaccine along with educating their customers about the process,” said Claire D’Amour-Daley, Vice President Corporate Communications in a press release.
The initiative is part of a federally run pharmacy program meant to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines.
“We are proud to partner with the United States government in order to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to our customers. When a vaccine is available, our pharmacy teams will be ready to administer them as per CDC guidelines.” said Charles L. D’Amour, president and CEO.
No COVID-19 has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, but the United Kingdom just approved the Pfizer vaccine for distribution. Public health professionals in the United States are hopeful of a vaccine becoming available for distribution in mid December. Distribution of the vaccine will be up to each individual state but the Center for Disease Control, or CDC, has released guidance on the matter.