WEST SPRINGFIELD – Local officials recently announced and celebrated the approval of a regional COVID-19 vaccination site at the Big E fairgrounds.

The vaccination service will be located at the Transportation Building located at Gate 1.

On March 26, state and local officials approved two regional COVID-19 vaccination sites. One in West Springfield in partnership with Agawam, Westfield, Southwick Granville and Tolland. The second location will open in Chicopee as a partnership with Holyoke, South Hadley and Granby.

“I am thrilled. I think it is something that was needed; obviously, that is why our coalition pursued this so vigorously over the past month, and I look forward to getting together with everyone and getting the doses into arms,” said West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt.

“This is an experience that I think is going to be a little bit better than other sites that we have visited because our patient care is going to be more 1 to 1,” said West Springfield Chief of Operations Carly Camossi.

On March 29, there was a news conference with Reichelt, West Springfield City Councilor Sullivan, Agawam Mayor William Sapelli, Mayor Westfield Donald Humason, Granville Selecboard Chairwoman Nicole Berndt, state Sen. Adam Gomez, Eastern States Exposition President and CEO Gene Cassidy, and Sheriff Nick Cocchi.

“This is what we do – we process people; this is, by all means, the most convenient and notable spot for people to be inoculated against this horrendous bug,” said Cassidy.

Berndt expressed that they are honored and excited to be a part of the regional collaboration. “We have a lot of reluctance in the Hilltowns, especially for our senior population, to make the long trek over the highways and difficult roads and unfamiliar areas to head out to large-scale vaccination sites.”

Reichelt shared that there are still many unknowns, including when the regional site will receive its doses, how many will be available, and what vaccine will be administered. This regional site will vaccinate up to 1,250 people a day if given enough doses.

The town is still waiting on supply from the state, but once those doses are delivered, the site can open immediately.

Fire Department paramedics from the towns involved will administer the vaccinations, and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department will provide personnel to register people.

“I think the real story here is that equity is being exercised, and I want to congratulate Carly; you do a tremendous job organizing and putting things together. You are going to have a successful vaccination site,” said Cocchi.

The vaccination site will be open to all Massachusetts residents. People can sign up through the state’s website, https://vaccinesignup.mass.gov/#/. There is also a website in the process specifically for people to sign-up at the Big E. The West Springfield Senior Center will also be able to book appointments over the phone.