CVS Health administers its 1st COVID-19 vaccines in long-term care facilities

CVS Health has begun its COVID-19 vaccination program for those in long-term care facilities.

The retailer has begun administering the Pfizer vaccine to those who have disproportionately impacted by the pandemic across 12 states this week, with plans to vaccinate up to four million residents and staff at more than 40,000 facilities.

“Today's rollout is the culmination of months of internal planning and demonstrates how the private sector can use its expertise to help solve some of our most critical challenges,” Larry J. Merlo, president and chief executive officer at CVS Health said. “I'm grateful for the herculean efforts of everyone involved, including our health care professionals who will be deployed throughout the country to bring peace of mind to long-term care facility residents, staff, and their loved ones.”

Teams from CVS Pharmacy will be on hand to make three visits to each facility, ensuring residents and staff receive the initial vaccine, as well as a booster. The overall plan is to have staff and residents vaccinated between three to four weeks after the initial visit, the company said.

States that will be receiving the vaccination before January include Connecticut, Floirda, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Vermont.

An additional 36 states, including the District of Columbia will begin their vaccinations on Dec. 28.

“Vaccinating one of our most vulnerable populations is the latest milestone in our multifaceted pandemic response, which includes testing more than 10 million people for the virus since March," Karen S. Lynch, currently executive vice president at CVS Health and president, Aetna, said. “The eventual availability of COVID-19 vaccines in communities across the country will bring us one step closer to overcoming the most significant health challenge of our lifetime.”