Bronx pharmacists
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Tuesday, March 23rd
OUR RECOVERY
DEMOCRAT ERIC
DINOWITZ
F O R C I T Y COUNCIL
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, MARCH 19-25, 2021 9
Photo Provided
BY JASON COHEN
For 43 years Sedgwick Pharmacy
on Sedgwick Avenue has been an integral
part of the community. During
COVID-19 it was not only deemed essential,
but is now relied on for administering
vaccines.
Owner Adam Agovino said they
vaccinate 300 patients a week and by
the end of March predicts the staff
will have given 3,000 COVID-19 vaccines.
Agovino, 40, who began working
there when he was 13, told the Bronx
Times there hasn’t been a more challenging
time than this past year.
“We’re in the Bronx, it’s low-income,
it’s diverse,” he said. “Those
are the people who might be last in
line to get shots.”
Agovino started out as a stock boy
and delivery driver and idolized how
his dad Michael who started the pharmacy
was beloved in the community.
He soon followed in his dad’s footsteps
and went to pharmacy school.
During the past year of the pandemic
Agovino noticed how much
people need the pharmacy. He explained
that people often see their
pharmacist more than their doctor.
“They trust us with their health,”
he stressed. “You have to give people
customer service that they aren’t going
to get at other places. We’re the
fi rst health care for most people.”
Throughout COVID-19 he and his
staff have encouraged people to stay
home and if they need medicine it
can be delivered.
Since pharmacies were allowed to
administer vaccines two months ago,
it has been nonstop busy, he said.
They do about 50 to 100 shots a day
and the phone is ringing off the hook
with questions from residents.
“It’s diffi cult because you need
some kind of way to stay organized,”
he said
He and his staff have given people
fl u shots for years, but never at this
volume as they are for COVID-19.
Agovino noted he could use about 10
more people to help with the process.
Additionally, he stressed that insurance
is not required and as long
as the person is qualifi ed under the
NY State guidelines and they schedule
an appointment a vaccine will be
given.
“It’s (vaccinating) probably one
of the most rewarding things I’ve
done as a pharmacist,” he stressed.
“We’re slowly getting everybody vaccinated.”
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A TEACHER FIGHTING FOR
STRONGLY ENDORSED BY:
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CONGRESSMEMBER
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT
CONGRESSMEMBER
RUBEN DIAZ JR
BORO PRESIDENT
JAMAAL BAILEY
STATE SENATOR
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