The grocery store chain Kroger plans to administer 1 million COVID-19 vaccines a week

One of the country’s largest supermarket chains is stepping up efforts to deliver up to a million COVID-19 vaccines a week to its pharmacies, clinics and off-site events.

Kroger company officials plan to use the first hour of pharmaceutical operations each day to focus on administering the three FDA-authorized vaccines, according to a report in the commercial publication Progressive Grocer.

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The Kroger company operates grocery stores with various names in 35 states, including more than 100 stores in Southeast Texas and Louisiana.

Patients will still be able to book appointments throughout the day, but that “concentration time” in the morning will allow more doses of vaccine to be administered, company officials said. In addition to in-store vaccinations, the grocery chain plans to hold 100 off-site mass vaccination events later this month.

Last month, Kroger joined other grocery retailers to offer incentives to its employees to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. Partners are eligible for a one-time payment of $ 100 if they demonstrate that they have received the full doses of vaccine recommended by the manufacturer.

SEE ALSO: Supermarket giant Kroger will pay $ 100 to workers receiving COVID-19 vaccine