One million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses are Going to 6,500 Pharmacies

This is in addition to the 10.5 million doses earmarked for states, tribes and territories.
The federal government next week is sending one million COVID-19 vaccine doses directly to 6,500 pharmacies in addition to the 10.5 million doses already earmarked for states, tribes and territories, according to Jeff Zients, the Biden Administration's COVID-19 coordinator. 

The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program will begin on Thursday, February 11. Because supply is currently limited, consumers are asked to check their state guidelines on eligibility and to make an appointment. 

Participating federal pharmacy partners (not all will be active in every state in the initial phase) include: Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, including Sam's Club, Rite Aid, Kroger, Publix Super Markets, Costco, Osco, Safeway, Acme and other Albertsons companies, Hy-Vee, Meijer, H-E-B, and Retail Business Services, including Food Lion, Giant Food, the Giant Company, Hannaford, Stop & Shop, and Winn-Dixie. 
The additional million doses to pharmacies are the result of manufacturing scaling up production, Zients said.

Distribution is based on area population and equity considerations, to make sure harder-to-reach, high-risk populations and communities are targeted, he said.

In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has increased its support to $3 to $5 billion to fully reimburse states for the cost of mobilizing the National Guard and for items such as masks and gloves.  

WHY THIS MATTERS

The federal government is working to speed up vaccine production and distribution.

Asked if this plan depends on passage of Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, Zients said, "The faster Congress acts, the faster we can scale."

Under the Biden Administration, vaccine supply increased by 16% last week, and by an additional 5% this week, Zients said. Since taking office, President Biden has increased the number of doses available by 20%.

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