Pharmacies at Walmart and Sam’s Club in Alabama are among the 22 states that will begin accepting and administering federal allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine later this month.
According to a Walmart press release, eligible customers and members can book vaccine appointments directly on the company’s websites, while allocations last. Vaccine doses are expected to be available from the end of next week, the company said.
In scheduling, the company says it will also provide a digital reminder when it comes time for customers to return for the second dose of the vaccine.
For Walmart, the scheduling website is walmart.com/COVIDvaccine. For Sam’s Club, the website is samsclub.com/covid.
There is no word on how many doses of the vaccine will be expected in the beginning. As soon as a store or club receives your allocation, the schedule will be available. The stores will meet the eligibility requirements determined by the state for who can receive the vaccine.
How quickly can I take a photo? Stores will schedule appointments based on how many doses are received. Appointments will increase as additional doses become available, says the company.
How much will it cost? The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge.
What if I can’t schedule it right away? What if my local store doesn’t show up right away? Customers are encouraged to be patient when scheduling, as some stores may not yet have been selected to administer the vaccine. Locations are determined by the state and federal government to manage specific populations, as determined by the state. Vaccine availability will continue to change.
Which vaccine will I get? Pharmacies have no control over the vaccine they administer.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are vaccinating in Arkansas, Chicago, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming and Virginia.
Along with Alabama, vaccines are due to launch next week in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Louisiana and Wyoming.