Stop & Shop supermarkets are working with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to offer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines at select in-store pharmacies, including those in Lynn and Swampscott.
The Pfizer shot will be in addition to an existing supply of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which have been available in Stop & Shop pharmacy locations since January 2021.
Customers can now walk in or schedule an appointment on Stop & Shop’s website to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at select locations.
Availability for walk-ins will depend on the store supply levels. Vaccine availability varies among stores, so customers are advised to visit the Stop & Shop COVID-19 website for local information.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized expanded use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 and older last week, and the United States PREP Acts allows Stop & Shop’s qualified pharmacists to administer the vaccine to this expanded age group.
Anyone ages 12 to 18 is required to have written consent from a parent or guardian for a trained Stop & Shop pharmacist to administer the Pfizer vaccine. Stop & Shop also requires patients under 16 to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or authorized representative in order to be vaccinated.
“Stop & Shop has been proud to support our communities throughout the pandemic, most recently by administering the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Katie Thornell, director of pharmacy operations at the supermarket chain. “We are excited to begin providing the Pfizer vaccine to our customers as young as 12 years of age to help protect members of the community against COVID-19.”
While getting the vaccine, customers will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and pharmacists will be wearing masks, gloves and face shields. The pharmacy team practices the same detailed disinfection protocols for all patients, which includes disinfecting and sanitizing between each patient to ensure the health and safety for all.
Stop & Shop began its partnership with the HHS in December 2020 and was among the first COVID-19 vaccine providers, offering the vaccines to customers across the Northeast at no out-of-pocket cost.
Flu, pneumonia, shingles and other immunizations are also currently available to customers at all Stop & Shop pharmacy locations. To find your nearest Stop & Shop pharmacy, visit www.stopandshop.com/pharmacy. For more information on Stop & Shop’s rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.stopandshop.com/covid-vaccine.
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].