WEDNESDAY, February 24, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Do you need a COVID-19 vaccine? Your neighborhood pharmacy may have one soon.
Pharmacies in the United States are joining the coronavirus vaccination effort as part of the Biden administration’s effort to achieve collective immunity as soon as possible in this country.
Federal authorities plan to send 2 million doses a week to more than 40,000 retail and long-term pharmacies across the country.
To make things easier for Americans, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention has created an online resource that describes which drugstore chains are participating in their state.
“This program will expand access to neighborhoods across the country so that people can call and make an appointment and get their chance conveniently and quickly,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki last week. “This is a critical part of our plan.”
For example, pharmaceutical giant Walgreens will begin receiving a weekly distribution of more than 480,000 doses of vaccine on February 25, which will be distributed to pharmacies in 26 U.S. states and territories, the pharmacy chain announced in a press release.
Pharmacies located in department stores and supermarkets are also involved in the effort.
Kroger, the largest supermarket chain in the United States, operates more than 2,200 pharmacies across the country and has created an online vaccination scheduling tool COVID-19 that can manage more than 250,000 daily requests, the company said in a press release .
In all, the federal government will send doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 21 retail chains and long-term pharmacies after a phased implementation. People will be asked to book online or call the local pharmacy to make an appointment.
Supplies will be limited, so you should check back often if you are unable to make an appointment at the beginning.
In the meantime, here are the top sites to help guide you:
Pharmacies
Department stores / depot clubs
- More than 1,000 pharmacies at Walmart and Sam’s Club in 22 states will receive vaccines. You can find participating locations and schedule an appointment here.
- Costco Wholesale warehouses in some states will provide COVID vaccination. Here is information about locations and times.
- Meijer department stores offer information and scheduling on the COVID vaccination.
Supermarkets
- Kroger has a vaccination scheduling tool.
- Publix offers information about its COVID vaccine program, listing availability by county in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
- Albertsons operates more than 1,700 supermarket pharmacies in 34 states. The chain’s stores include Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaw’s, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, United, Vons and Pavilions.
- Hy-Vee supermarkets will offer vaccines in eight midwestern states. This is where you can schedule an appointment.
- HEB is offering vaccines in Texas, with information on scheduling availability.
- Retail Business Services includes the supermarket chains Food Lion, Giant Food, Hannaford Bros Co. and Stop & Shop.
- Southeastern Grocers owns the supermarket chains Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets and is distributing the vaccine in Florida.
- Topco Associates includes several groceries and pharmacies, including Acme Fresh Markets, Associated Food Stores, Basha’s, Big-Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center, Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy, Coborn’s Pharmacy, Cash Wise Pharmacy, MarketPlace Pharmacy, Giant Eagle, Hartig Drug Company, King Kullen, Food City, Ingles Pharmacy, Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Pharmacies, Save Mart Pharmacies, Lucky Pharmacies, SpartanNash, Price Chopper / Market 32, Tops Friendly Markets, ShopRite, Wegmans and Weis Markets, Inc.