The state of Alabama is partnering with Walmart to allow COVID-19 vaccination in its stores, health officials announced.
State health officer Scott Harris said details of the partnership are close and a timetable for the program has not been set, but added that it would be “soon”. The state is also close to an agreement with a “large drugstore chain” to provide vaccines, Harris said.
Harris said the state will use part of its budget to go directly to the chain’s pharmacies to facilitate faster delivery to the public. Alabama has seen a slow launch of its vaccine program and currently administers about 45% of its allocated doses.
ADPH employees have been redirected from current roles to speed up the vaccination process. Health professionals, residents and employees of long-term care facilities, police and firefighters, as well as people over 75, are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
Walmart, the country’s largest retailer, announced in December that it was preparing to administer the COVID vaccine at 5,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies across the country. The chain placed freezers and dry ice in all locations to accommodate storage of the vaccine.
Walmart stores in New Mexico have already started helping that state with vaccines.