Walmart is preparing to expand its coronavirus vaccine operation to seven states beyond the two countries where it currently offers vaccinations, a company spokesman confirmed to The Hill on Friday.
Walmart will begin providing vaccines in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina and Texas, as well as in Chicago and Puerto Rico, this week and next, according to the spokesman.
The vaccines will be made available to specific populations decided by each state and only in a handful of stores in those states, according to Reuters, which first reported the expansion.
The retail giant is already vaccinating health care workers in Arkansas, where it is headquartered, as well as in New Mexico.
Walmart also confirmed to Reuters that it is partnering with Alabama to provide vaccines against COVID-19.
Scott Harris, Alabama’s state health officer, announced the deal Thursday, according to Al.com, but did not specify a timeline for when it would start. He also said another agreement is underway with a “major chain of pharmacies.”
The expansion comes as the United States competes to inoculate as many people as it can in the midst of a slow vaccination campaign.
To date, more than 37.9 million vaccines have been distributed, according to data of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of which about 17.5 million have been administered.
President Biden has set a goal of administering 100 million coronavirus vaccines in the first 100 days of his presidency and revealed a country on Thursday COVID-19 strategy which includes steps to achieve this goal.
The president ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin establishing community vaccination centers and the CDC to expand access to vaccines through local pharmacies.
“Walmart is ready to serve our country, our customers and our partners,” the company said in a blog post Friday. “We are grateful for the conversations we have had with the two administrations and the ongoing conversations we have with the new Biden administration.”
“We look forward to the day when we can activate our strengths to serve our communities and administer the vaccine.”
Updated at 10:09 am