Starbucks is not ready to offer free lattes if you receive a COVID-19 vaccinated, but the coffee giant tries to do its part to fight the disease. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee said in a blog post this week that he called on Starbucks, Microsoft, Costco and other major companies to help launch the vaccine, with a goal of vaccinating 45,000 residents a day.
“This is a huge effort and as noble as any cause will be in 2021: because this is the year we choose to be vaccinated, Washington,” Inslee said at a news conference on Monday. “We are removing as many impediments as possible for the Washingtonians to be vaccinated. We will deliver all doses that reach our state. We will still depend on the federal government for doses, but we are doing everything we can when we get here. “
The boost comes as many states struggle to accelerate their vaccine programs. Large states, including Georgia, Virginia and California, have hesitated to distribute vaccines, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On Wednesday, Washington administered less than half the doses it has received from the federal government so far. This compares with about 90% in West Virginia, which drew praise for its rapid vaccination program.
“Significant humanitarian effort”
Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson confirmed the company’s participation in the Washington vaccination effort.
“This is an opportunity to serve others and impact a significant humanitarian effort,” said Johnson. “Governor Inslee has brought together some of the best public and private resources and capabilities to engage in a concerted effort to optimize and accelerate the vaccination process in our home state. We are proud to contribute in every way possible to help operationalize and scale the equitable access to the vaccine. “
Starbucks is assigning employees from its operations, labor and deployment services, analysis and insights and other departments to help design vaccination sites that are efficient and beneficial to patients, Starbucks said. Crucially, given the potential costs, the company is donating its labor to the state and will continue to pay employees while working on the vaccination program.
“It’s like a Starbucks with a product,” said Johnson of the effort.
Building a simulated vaccination site
The Starbucks’ Tryer Center, the laboratory where the company develops new designs and store systems, has already built a simulated vaccination site for testing. One of its goals is to help streamline the vaccination process and avoid bottlenecks.
A company spokesman told CBS MoneyWatch that his experience serving 100 million customers a week in 30,000 stores worldwide is no different than a mass immunization campaign.
“Basically, our role is to find out how we can help these sites and the health department as they set up vaccination sites. How to distribute vaccines to people more quickly and do that with one person at the center of every decision,” said the spokesman said, although noting that Starbucks physical stores will not be reused as vaccination centers.
Microsoft will lend its technology expertise to accelerate the launch, President Brad Smith said at a recent news conference. Its technology will be used to help distribute the vaccine, as well as follow up on individual consultations and vaccination records. Microsoft also offered to use its campus and other facilities as a vaccination site.
Kaiser Permanente and Costco are also joining forces. The health system is helping to distribute the vaccine to health care providers across the state, while the discount network has been contracted to help deliver the vaccine to local pharmacies.