MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Last week, Upsher-Smith Laboratories offered a free on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinic at no cost to all employees and their spouses and will offer a similar second clinic four weeks later in accordance with the prescribed timing of the Moderna vaccine.

The clinic is the result of a partnership between Upsher-Smith and Plymouth, Minnesota-based pharmacy chain Thrifty White, which supplied and administered the shots more than 250 vaccines.

Upsher-Smith turned one of its prominent conference rooms into the temporary clinic, making sure to employ social distancing practices and requiring that everyone wear masks. After receiving their shot, Upsher-Smith team members sat in the Atrium of the company’s Corporate Headquarters for 15 minutes to be monitored for any potential side effects.

Thrifty White has collaborated with Upsher-Smith for many years on a variety of innovative programs involving Upsher-Smith’s generic products and its epilepsy and migraine brands. Their cooperative efforts toward the vaccination clinic are a great example of two Minnesota companies coming together within their industry to provide a creative solution to help fight the pandemic.