Walmart is preparing to expand its coronavirus vaccine operation to seven more states in addition to the two where it is offering vaccines, a company spokesman confirmed to The Hill on Friday.
Walmart will begin supplying vaccines in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina and Texas, as well as in Chicago and Puerto Rico, this week and the next, according to the spokesman.
Vaccines will be made available to specific populations decided by each state and only in a handful of stores in those states, according to Reuters, which first reported on the expansion.
The retail giant is already vaccinating healthcare professionals in Arkansas, where it is based, as well as in New Mexico.
Walmart also confirmed to Reuters that it is partnering with Alabama to supply COVID-19 vaccines.
Scott Harris, Alabama state health officer, announced the deal on Thursday, according to Al.com, but did not specify a timeline for the start. He also said that another business with a “large pharmacy chain” is underway.
The expansion is taking place as the United States runs to inoculate as many people as possible in the midst of a slow vaccination campaign.
To date, more than 37.9 million vaccines have been distributed, according to Dice the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of which about 17.5 million have been administered.
President Biden has set a goal to administer 100 million coronavirus vaccines in the first 100 days of his presidency and on Thursday released a national report COVID-19 Strategy this includes steps to achieve that goal.
The president instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin establishing community vaccination centers, and the CDC is expanding access to vaccines through local pharmacies.
“Walmart is ready to serve our country, our customers and associates,” the company said in a blog on Friday. “We appreciate the conversations we have had with both administrations and the ongoing conversations we are having with the new Biden administration.”
“We are looking forward to the day when we can activate our forces to serve our communities and administer the vaccine.”
Updated at 10:09