- The United States government has authorized thousands of pharmacies to distribute coronavirus vaccines.
- The program is scheduled to start on February 11 with 1 million total doses per week.
- Walmart, CVS and Walgreens are among the networks created to vaccinate people for free.
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Coronavirus vaccines will soon be available in US pharmacies with the launch of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for the COVID-19 Vaccination, the White House announced on Tuesday.
The program means that more than 40,000 American pharmacies are prepared to receive doses of vaccines to give eligible people free of charge as of February 11, with 1 million doses per week set to go to 6,500 locations to start, the White House said .
The White House said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worked with states to decide the first pharmacies with which they associated based on how well they would be able to reach populations at risk. States will continue to receive doses to distribute.
Read More: See how much CVS and Walgreens have to profit, as the federal government opens access to COVID-19 injections in retail pharmacies
The CDC recommended that people waiting for the vaccine consult the local pharmacy website to see if it is available and who qualifies.
Walmart asked customers to book an appointment using a scheduling tool on its website, which also includes a reminder for the second dose. CVS asked customers to make appointments through the CVS application or website, as well as most other providers authorized by CDC.
Vaccines available at pharmacies will initially be limited, with allocations determined by the federal government. Each state determines the distribution of its vaccines and eligibility for them.
Are the pharmacy chains in partnership with the federal government for vaccine distribution, according to the White House:
- Walgreens (including Duane Reade)
- Pharmacy CVS (including Long’s)
- Walmart (including Sam’s Club)
- Rite Aid
- Kroger (including Kroger, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Ralphs, King Soopers, Smiths, City Market, Dillons, Mariano’s, Pick-n-Save, Copps, Metro Market)
- Publix
- Costco
- Albertsons (including Osco, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaw’s, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, Market Street, United, Vons, Pavilions, Friends, Lucky’s, Pak n Save, Sav -In)
- Hy-Vee
- Meijer
- HEB
- Commercial retail services (including Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford Bros Co, Stop & Shop)
- Winn-Dixie (including Winn-Dixie, Harveys, Fresco Y Mas)
Other independent drugstore chains will also participate, the White House said.