Walmart and Sam’s Club They are expected to send 1 million doses of the coveted COVID-19 vaccine to pharmacies across Florida this week, and vaccinations will begin Thursday.
Shipments are being received as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. The program aims to accelerate the distribution of vaccines and eventually expand to 40,000 pharmacies.
Across the country, 6,500 pharmacies will receive the vaccine.
Pharmacies in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are expecting a substantial shipment, according to Florida lawmakers. But getting the vaccine won’t be as easy as getting in and getting a flu shot.
You need an appointment to receive the vaccine and you must complete it eligibility requirements. In Florida, priority is given to people over the age of 65 and seniors and front-line health care workers.
An online tool that is used to schedule appointments through pharmacies in the coming days is expected to be launched.
Top health officials say most people should be successful with booking appointments over the next few months.
“Things will get better as we go from February to March and April, because the number of vaccine doses that will be available will increase substantially,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
In South Florida, those who need it most continue to be vaccinated.
700 independent, assisted living residents of the John Knox Village community in Pompano Beach, for example, will receive the first dose of the vaccine tomorrow.
To date, 1,326,136 people in Florida have received the first dose of vaccine.
667,830 people have been completely vaccinated.
Read more vaccine updates here.