Sabrina Zuniga / El Diari del Pas
Saturday, January 2, 2021 | 06:00
CVS pharmacies, as well as Walmart and Albertsons stores have formally launched their Covid-19 vaccination program, including caregiver workers for older adults, residents have been significantly affected by pandemic.
CVS Pharmacy expects to vaccinate up to four million residents and staff at more than 40,000 long-term care centers through the program.
In Texas, CVS began vaccinating residents and employees at 2,000 long-term care centers. The company plans to vaccinate 275,000 employees and residents of nursing homes already selected here in Texas.
“This launch 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,” said Larry J. Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Health.
“I am grateful for the Herculean efforts of all involved, including our health professionals who will be deployed across the country to reassure residents, staff and their loved ones at the long-term care facilities. term, “Merlo said.
CVS Pharmacy teams will make three visits to each long-term care center to ensure residents and staff receive their initial vaccine and critical reinforcement.
Most residents and staff will be fully vaccinated between three and four weeks after the first visit, depending on the vaccine they receive. CVS Health expects to complete its vaccination effort at the long-term care center in approximately 12 weeks.
Once CVS gets the green light to start with the Covid-19 vaccine to the general public, the pharmacy will accept appointments online, through the app and at a designated 800 number.
It will not be a process without an appointment. “It will be a very structured appointment-based process,” according to the company. CVS also continues to test Covid-19, by appointment only. In El Paso, there are 13 CVS pharmacies, not counting the facilities within the Target warehouses.
Available at Albertsons and Walmart
For their part, Albertsons and Walmart reported that the first coronavirus vaccines have already been administered as they accelerate the preparation and delivery of Covid-19 vaccines across the country.
Walmart has begun administering the recently approved Modern vaccine to health workers at select Walmart stores and Sam’s Club in New Mexico, Walmart medical director Tom Van Gilder said Wednesday in a blog post.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guide, Walmart is prioritizing health care personnel, including pharmacy personnel, over the administration of Phase 1 Covid vaccines. of the national vaccine allocation.
To meet the expected high demand for the coronavirus vaccine, Albertsons has launched a campaign to hire and train more than 800 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians nationwide.
Albertsons noted that he will work with public health authorities to target specific priority groups and identify the most logical places to administer vaccines, either at a supermarket pharmacy or at a separate community location.
To inform customers, the company has launched a new website for each of its store’s posters featuring education, frequently asked questions, updates, eligibility criteria, and programming options for coronavirus immunization.
Albertsons also reminds the public to adhere to CDC guidelines for protection and to health care personnel, including frequent hand washing, social distancing, and the use of masks or face masks.