Over 100,000 Vaccinations by Big Y Over Past Year

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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.
 

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Berkshires, Pittsfield Highlighted in U.S. Senate Debate

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

John Deaton, an attorney, has positioned himself as a moderate Republican and easily won the three-way primary in September. 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— Berkshire County was mentioned several times during Thursday's Senate debate, hosted by New England Public Media News and GBH News Massachusetts.

It was the second of two debates this week between Democrat Elizabeth Warren, the incumbent, and challenger John Deaton, a Republican. The debate was broadcast and livestreamed and can be watched here.

"Massachusetts, especially at the Berkshires, is truly magical," said Warren said when speaking about noteworthy fall treescapes.  

Warren and Deaton debated local and national topics for one hour at NEPM's studios in Springfield. Conversation ranged from infrastructure to immigration and reproductive health. 

While the two differed on many topics, they agreed that housing prices are out of control in Massachusetts and on the importance of the West-East passenger rail.

When asked if he would be a "no" vote on any future considerations for American aid to Ukraine, Deaton said his vote has to be earned and citizens should be informed about the money sent overseas when there is a housing crisis here.  

Warren is strong about the U.S. being an ally to Ukraine to protect its democracy.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. has provided more than $64.1 billion in military assistance since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and about $66.9 billion in military assistance since Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

"All I'm saying is the American people deserve to know what the plan is and just coming back every six months and giving billions and billions and billions of dollars when people can't pay their rent, I just want to know the plan and no one is articulating the plan," Deaton said.

"The American people deserve transparency. For 50-plus years, it wasn't in America's vital interest for Ukraine to be in (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.) Why is it so important today? I want that answer."

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