Westhampton Beach Pharmacist Leads Charge To Get Locals Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - 27 East
logo logo logo logo

East Hampton Press / News / Health / Health / News / Southampton Press / 1760002

Westhampton Beach Pharmacist Leads Charge To Get Locals Vaccinated Against COVID-19

icon 9 Photos
Westhampton Beach resident Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy, was in constant motion on Saturday, heading a mass community vaccination effort at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department. More than 1,000 people received their second shot of the Moderna vaccine on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

Westhampton Beach resident Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy, was in constant motion on Saturday, heading a mass community vaccination effort at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department. More than 1,000 people received their second shot of the Moderna vaccine on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

Community members age 65 and older were thrilled, relieved, and overcome by a wide range of emotions as they received their second shot of the Modern vaccine. CAILIN RILEY

Community members age 65 and older were thrilled, relieved, and overcome by a wide range of emotions as they received their second shot of the Modern vaccine. CAILIN RILEY

Westhampton Beach resident Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy, was in constant motion on Saturday, heading a mass community vaccination effort at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department. More than 1,000 people received their second shot of the Moderna vaccine on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

Westhampton Beach resident Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy, was in constant motion on Saturday, heading a mass community vaccination effort at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department. More than 1,000 people received their second shot of the Moderna vaccine on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

Looks of relief were common as second doses of the Moderna vaccine were administered at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department on Saturday. More than 1,000 people received their second dose in a single day, part of a joint effort between the fire department and Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy. CAILIN RILEY

Looks of relief were common as second doses of the Moderna vaccine were administered at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department on Saturday. More than 1,000 people received their second dose in a single day, part of a joint effort between the fire department and Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy. CAILIN RILEY

Community members did not have to wait long on line on Saturday, as the operation ran swiftly and smoothly. CAILIN RILEY

Community members did not have to wait long on line on Saturday, as the operation ran swiftly and smoothly. CAILIN RILEY

People waited 15 minutes after receiving their shot before heading home. CAILIN RILEY

People waited 15 minutes after receiving their shot before heading home. CAILIN RILEY

Lou Cassara spoke to the people waiting in line and expressed his gratitude to the Westhampton Beach Fire Department for letting him turn the firehouse into a pharmacy to administer the vaccines. The department made him an honorary member for his determination to vaccinate so many members of the community. CAILIN RILEY

Lou Cassara spoke to the people waiting in line and expressed his gratitude to the Westhampton Beach Fire Department for letting him turn the firehouse into a pharmacy to administer the vaccines. The department made him an honorary member for his determination to vaccinate so many members of the community. CAILIN RILEY

From left, Lou Cassara, Rochelle Diamond, Conor Cassara, Laura Kazokas and Brittany Serrano, all member of the Barth's team who helped administer vaccinations on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

From left, Lou Cassara, Rochelle Diamond, Conor Cassara, Laura Kazokas and Brittany Serrano, all member of the Barth's team who helped administer vaccinations on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

Westhampton Beach resident Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy, was in constant motion on Saturday, heading a mass community vaccination effort at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department. More than 1,000 people received their second shot of the Moderna vaccine on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

Westhampton Beach resident Lou Cassara, owner of Barth's Pharmacy, was in constant motion on Saturday, heading a mass community vaccination effort at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department. More than 1,000 people received their second shot of the Moderna vaccine on Saturday. CAILIN RILEY

authorCailin Riley on Mar 3, 2021
A little after 11 a.m. on February 27, Lou Cassara stepped up onto a metal folding chair in the middle of the Westhampton Beach Firehouse and asked for quiet before... more

You May Also Like:

St. Mark's Episcopal Church Marks 100 Years of Serving Westhampton Beach

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach has been helping residents with matters of faith ... 6 Jul 2025 by Dan Stark

The New Standard

The editorial dunce cap for “creeping authoritarianism” [“Gold Stars and Dunce Caps,” Editorial, July 3] awarded to the president for his anger at the deliberate leak of a premature intelligence assessment by an individual acting solely out of malice in an attempt to discredit the administration’s recent outstanding U.S. military action in Iran: It certainly was in stark contrast to Joe Biden’s management of our withdrawal from Afghanistan that cost 13 Marines their lives and bore witness to an America that no longer would be held in respect for its ability to project power. The leak was a political stunt ... by Staff Writer

See the Reality

Magic acts are based on illusion and distraction. The audience is looking at the fancy handwork while things appear and disappear. Just so have the MAGA Republicans fooled the majority of their base. Being woke is the distraction — women who have abortions, people who are transgender, or gay, or pro-Palestinian, or illegal immigrants, or whatever else are the root of our problems. Mired in economic despair, people are somehow made to feel that massively wealthy people are their kin, not immigrants desperate for food and a roof over their heads. Here in the Hamptons, as in the bowels of ... by Staff Writer

Dodged a Bullet

After reading John Avlon’s “Viewpoint” [“Frustrated? Here Are Three Things You Can Do,” Opinion, July 3], Suffolk County was so right in not electing a candidate who projects misery, because the American voters see things differently than he does. Democrats seem to think democracy only works if they win — otherwise, its called fascism. John, you and the Democratic Party are not victims. The Democratic Party is dead in America. The fact that the Democratic Party elected a communist in New York City to represent the party is the cherry on top. America is not about free stuff — it’s ... by Staff Writer

Guided by Reason

I am writing in response to the recent multi-page Q&A article, “School Board Member: Students Shortchanged,” published in The Southampton Press on July 3. The piece presents a narrative about the Southampton School Board that is, at best, incomplete and at worst, misleading. While I respect the intent to spotlight district concerns, it’s troubling that no effort was made to verify the accuracy or context of statements, some directly or indirectly referencing me. The result is a divisive and unbalanced portrayal that undermines the board’s integrity and the community’s trust. Our residents deserve truthful dialogue, accurate reporting and responsible journalism. ... by Staff Writer

A Blight

Southampton Town now has four ugly, blighted properties: 7Zs Swimming Pool, Bel-Aire Cove Motel property, Getty gas station and the former Casa Basso Restaurant. The first three have been vacant for many years. They are a blight on our community. They look like Superfund sites. Casa Basso was purchased recently. We don’t understand why the town bought it when their priorities should have been fixing up, or beautifying, the first three first. Bel-Aire Cove is supposed to become a “passive park” with six parking spaces. If the park gets used or becomes successful, the town might add a bathroom and ... by Staff Writer

In Search of a Lyme Vaccine

Three decades ago, after writing about people undergoing severe cases of Lyme disease in Suffolk County, I chose to get shots of a vaccine that had just become available designed to prevent the disease happening after a bite of a Lyme-carrying tick. It was 1998, and what was called LYMErix was introduced that year to counter Lyme disease. I went to our family physician, Dr. Daniel Lessner in Sag Harbor, since retired, for a series of three vaccinations. There were no side effects. Making a judgment on a negative is problematic, but in following years, although bitten by ticks, I ... by Karl Grossman

'We Are All Jews Here'

Some of you may have noticed that often a “Road Yet Taken” column is tied to an anniversary. Not this time — for two reasons. One is, because of all the political divisiveness and especially antisemitism going around, I decided it was time to tell the story of someone who inspires us to be better people. Two: This is a salute to the folks who, Sunday after Sunday, in all kinds of weather, gather at the windmill in Sag Harbor to protest the violence in Gaza. Recently, a group supporting Israel has been having its own protest a few feet ... by Tom Clavin

Born in The Hamptons, 'Jaws' Turns 50

It is the summer of “Jaws,” and many are wondering whether 50 years is long ... 5 Jul 2025 by Michael Wright

East End Historical Societies and Museums Join Forces for Long Island History Hunt

Long Island museums and historical societies have teamed up to host the Long Island History ... 4 Jul 2025 by Dan Stark