CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens to offer COVID-19 vaccines at stores in certain states

2/2/2021

The nation’s two leading drug chains on Tuesday both announced plans to bring COVID-19 vaccinations to the retail setting in multiple states. CVS Pharmacy said that on Feb. 11 it would begin offering COVID-19 vaccines at stores in 11 states, with its initial supply of roughly 250,000 doses coming from the federal government. Walgreens said vaccinations would begin Feb. 12 at locations in 12 states, as well as Puerto Rico, New York City and Chicago. Both companies noted that the vaccines would be available only to eligible patient populations based on state and jurisdiction guidelines.

CVS Health said that it would be offering vaccines in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Walgreens stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia and the aforementioned jurisdictions will be offering COVID-19 vaccines.

“Our presence in communities across the country makes us an ideal partner for administering vaccines in a safe, convenient, and familiar manner,” said Karen S. Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer, CVS Health. “This is particularly true for underserved communities, which have been a focus for us throughout the pandemic.”

In addition to supporting the federal vaccine allocation distribution in these states, the companies also are working directly with states and jurisdictions to support their allocation distributions. CVS Health is working with Indiana to offer COVID-19 vaccines at two locations and Ohio to offer the coronavirus vaccines at 19 stores. Walgreens currently is working with Arkansas, certain counties in California, Connecticut, Chicago, Delaware, Illinois, certain counties in Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, New York City, Ohio, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Texas.

“Walgreens was one of the first pharmacies to begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations in December to long-term care facility staff and residents, and we look forward to leveraging our experience to support the federal government and CDC in expanding access to these vaccines,” said John Standley, president of Walgreens. “Our pharmacy teams have already provided nearly 2 million COVID-19 vaccinations and stand ready with their expertise to help educate and vaccinate additional Americans, including those in rural and underserved communities.”

CVS Pharmacy numbers for the Feb 11 rollout are roughly as follows: In California, CVS Pharmacy will have 81,900 doses across 100 stores; 6,800 doses at 12 stores in Connecticut; 4,400 doses at seven stores in Hawaii; 11,000 doses at 18 Maryland stores; 21,600 doses across 18 Massachusetts stores; 19,900 doses at 27 stores in New Jersey; 20,600 doses at 32 locations in New York; 3,400 doses across four Rhode Island locations; 15,300 doses at 17 stores in South Carolina; 38,000 doses and 70 stores in Texas; and 26,000 doses and 28 stores in Virginia.

CVS Health said that individual states would confirm and communicate eligibility ahead of the rollout.

Both retailers said the vaccines would be offered on an appointment-only basis.

On the long-term care side, CVS Health has administered the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine to some 8,000 skilled nursing facilities, with second doses more than 60% complete. The company said it expects to complete providing the vaccinations to more than 40,000 total long-term care facilities by mid-February. Walgreens said that has completed 75% of its long-term care facility first-dose vaccinations.

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