Publix Super Markets has provided more than 300,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in four states since it began administering the vaccine one week earlier this year.
Publix said Friday that, by the end of February 11, its pharmacies had administered more than 250,000 doses of the Modern coronavirus vaccine to customers in Florida and about 50,000 doses to customers in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.
Earlier this week, Publix, based in Lakeland, Florida, received doses of COVID vaccine from the state of Florida and the federal government, allowing Publix Pharmacy to inoculate eligible individuals – residents age 65 and older – in 593 locations in 41 counties from Florida as of February 12
To date, Publix has administered 100% of the first 250,000 doses of the vaccine that has been allocated in Florida, the company said. The Modern vaccine, for those over 18, requires two injections administered 28 days apart.
“Publix is a company founded on a commitment to service, and I am proud of the role we played in the past month to serve our communities during this time of need,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones in a statement. “There is a huge demand for this vaccine and we are grateful that our customers are looking for and trusting us to supply it. We hope that continued collaboration with the states in our area and the federal government will allow us to rapidly increase the number of clients that we can vaccinate in the coming weeks. “
Publix started its COVID-19 vaccination program on January 7 with a pilot from 22 stores in Florida, announced with Governor Ron DeSantis. The effort – for the elderly, health care workers and residents and long-term employees – came several days after the state asked retailers for help in administering the vaccine, the company noted.
In the following weeks, Publix launched the Moderna COVID vaccines to pharmacies in Georgia and South Carolina and then followed up with subsequent allocations in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Earlier this month, the company started vaccinating in Virginia .
Publix launched its COVID vaccine effort in early January at a press conference with Pharmacy Vice President Dain Rusk (left) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (right).
COVID-19 vaccines are administered free of charge by Farmácia Publix, while supplies last. Customers must schedule an appointment using the publix.com/covidvaccine online booking system. After receiving the first dose, patients are automatically scheduled to receive the second dose at the same location four weeks later. Although vaccinations are free, clients must bring their health insurance card or Medicare Part B card for consultation, and those without health coverage will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.
Overall, Publix operates more than 1,000 pharmacies in 1,268 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The company added that it is working with states in its market area to distribute the COVID vaccine and, when more doses are available, it will announce the opening dates and times of the online scheduling system in each state.