Covid-19 vaccines for grocery stores and pharmacies to test for stress

Not all Americans are eligible for vaccines and shots are still scarce. But vaccines are increasingly available in some states, and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to be available at local pharmacies starting next month. The vaccine comes at no cost.

(See the WSJ state-by-state guide.)

The work of vaccinating large areas of the population will fall largely on retail pharmacies, with companies such as CVS Health Corp.

CVS -0.27%

, Walgreens WBA -2.83%

-Boots Alliance Inc., Walmart Inc.

WMT -0.87%

and Kroger Co.

KR -2.32%

saying they are ready to give tens of millions of shots a month.

“We need to find ways to increase our access points. We need to be able to increase the pace of vaccinating people across the country if we want to get a hit,” said Bart Buxton, co-chair of the working group. against McLaren Health Care Corp.’s Covid-19 vaccine The Flint, Michigan hospital system partnered with Walgreens to administer doses to its 26,000 employees as part of the first phase of vaccinations.

Hospitals and health systems, already overwhelmed by the treatment of coronavirus patients, also cannot bear the weight of vaccines, Buxton said. “Health systems like McLaren can’t do it on their own.”

According to industry executives, pharmacies are well positioned to play an important role in Covid-19 vaccination efforts, because they are among the most accessible healthcare providers for many Americans, including people. aged 65 or over who usually take medication at local supermarkets. or pharmacies. These companies say they can also draw on their experience in preventing vaccines against the flu, shingles and other diseases.

CVS and Walgreens combined have 19,000 stores in the United States, while Walmart, Rite RAD -10.46%

Aid Corp., Kroger and Publix Super Markets Inc., together have another 11,000 locations. Add dozens of regional groceries with pharmacy counters.

CVS says it can vaccinate 20 to 25 million people a month once supply is available. Walmart said in January it would be able to vaccinate between 10 and 13 million a month.

President Biden said last Monday that his goal of administering 100 million Covid-19 vaccines in his first 100 days in office could reach 150 million. As of Friday, 27.9 million shots had been administered, of the 49.2 million distributed since mid-December, according to CDC data.

Pharmacy chains and retailers with pharmacies say they have the manpower and physical space to handle mass vaccinations and in some areas have already stepped in to help local and state officials. Big chains say they have online programming tools that can handle an influx of dating.

Walgreens has said it plans to hire about 25,000 people across the U.S. to administer the vaccine. It employs 75,000 pharmacists and technicians. CVS, which employs 34,000 pharmacists and 65,000 technicians, declined to say how many workers it hires.

Among the biggest challenges retailers now face is dealing with customers who want to know when it’s their turn.

“We are doing everything in our power to avoid confusion about how to get vaccinated,” a CVS spokesman said. In addition to long-term care facilities, the pharmacy chain offers shots to select groups in Indiana, Massachusetts, New York and Puerto Rico. People eligible for a vaccine must make an appointment.

“We answer that question dozens, hundreds of times a day,” Charlie Hartig, executive director of Hartig Drug Stores, a small Midwest chain, said about the issue of vaccine availability. “Education is taking up time.”

Associated Food Stores, a cooperative of more than 400 supermarkets and nearly 40 pharmacies, is working on how its staff will report vaccinations and process claims quickly.

For Associated Food, programming has been a focus, said Chris Sheard, who oversees pharmacy operations at the company. Their pharmacies have operated to a large extent and now ask customers to schedule appointments for Covid-19 vaccines so they can ensure distancing and cleanliness.

“People would come up during the lunch break. We can’t do it now, “said Sheard. The company is trying to make its voice known by increasing marketing and social media efforts and providing waiting lists where people can sign up.

Others seek space to inoculate themselves and collaborate with organizations to organize mass vaccination events. The Iowa-based supermarket, Hy-Vee Inc., is working with a local university to set up vaccination stations at a 16,000-square-foot facility, said Aaron Wiese, the company’s health chief.

“Look for a significantly larger number when you say 65 years and older and people with underlying conditions,” Wiese said. “Add other essential workers, you’ll need more capacity.”

Hy-Vee plans to use greenhouses, controlled by temperature and suitable for larger groups. The retailer also began testing the so-called waiting pods, where customers can wait after receiving vaccines, and motorhome vehicles with examination rooms. Hy-Vee plans to deploy motorhomes when it comes to manufacturing plants to vaccinate staff there, Wiese said.

Massive vaccines will require a robust online booking system, said America Davis, communications coordinator for Immunize Nevada, a nonprofit organization that has created a website to schedule appointments in the state. It has struggled to keep the site running amid an overwhelming demand.

“Local and health officials work literally 24 hours a day to make sure we do it right,” he said. “I don’t think anyone would anticipate what the adoption of this vaccine would be.”

Write to Sharon Terlep at [email protected] and Jaewon Kang at [email protected]