Walmart Will Offer COVID-19 Vaccines

(UNDATED) – Walmart stores in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Texas will offer COVID-19 vaccinations starting next week, the retailer said.

The vaccines will be administered at Walmart pharmacies to groups that state health officials have deemed most in need of inoculation. 

Vaccinations will also be available at Walmart locations in Chicago and Puerto Rico.

Walmart has already administered vaccines in stores in its home state of Arkansas as well as New Mexico. 

“As we look to a future when supply can meet demand and more people are eligible to receive the vaccine, we plan to offer the vaccine seven days a week at our pharmacies, through planned in-store vaccination clinics and through large community events,” said Walmart’s Executive Vice President for Health and Wellness Dr. Cheryl Pegus. “At full capacity, we expect we will be able to deliver 10 to 13 million doses per month when supply and allocations allow.

Walmart and Sam’s Club operate more than 5,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, many of which serve underserved communities and the heart of rural America. With 150 million people passing through their doors each week, officials believe they are in a unique position to reach people where they already shop. They are also a federal pharmacy partner and can accept federal allocation of doses in all of their Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies. 

Walmart joins CVS, Kroger, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, among retailers offering vaccinations.

Last week, President Biden said he plans to supercharge vaccination distribution by tapping Federal Emergency Management Agency staff and training an additional 100,000 workers to administer the shots. He has pledged to vaccinate 100 million more Americans in the first 100 days of his presidency.

In other measures to ramp up the fight against COVID-19, some states have activated their local National Guard troops to help distribute vaccines.