Now that we know that COVID-19 vaccines are on the way from Pfizer, Moderna, and now AstraZeneca, the question becomes… How will those vaccines be distributed? Well, it looks like we may have an answer to that here locally.

Stop and Shop, which has supermarket locations in the Berkshires in Pittsfield and North Adams, announced last week that the chains pharmacy’s have signed on to be among the first in the country to administer future COVID-19 vaccines once a vaccine is authorized or approved and recommended for use in the United States.

The company said in a press release last week, that through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, designed to maximize access to the vaccine across the country quickly and efficiently, Stop and Shop is ready to play an important role in making the vaccine available at all of its 250 pharmacy locations nationwide, including here in the Berkshires. It would be distributed to customers at no cost.

We are proud to do our part in the fight against COVID-19 by joining this critical effort led by HHS – and by making the vaccines available for our customers as soon as safe and effective become available… This move to become an early provider is part of our commitment to be trusted health resource within our communities. ~ Katie Thornell, Director of Pharmacy at Stop and Shop

 

Stop and Shop says that flu shots are available now at all of its locations and they are taking health and safety precautions in accordance with CDC guidelines. Customers entering the locations are required to wear face coverings. Pharmacists are equipped with gloves, masks, and face shields. The immunization area also has strict disinfecting and sanitizing measures in place between every patient.

You can locate your nearest pharmacy location HERE.

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