Some clinics will be conducted at YMCA facilities. In addition to its own communication efforts to contact people in underserved communities, CVS is also coordinating an outreach effort with community leaders and nonprofits, including faith-based groups. The retailer will eventually expand access to all of its stores but is currently limited to states where the federal government is providing vaccines for it to administer, just as other pharmacy chains are currently limited as well.Ĭhaguturu declined to say how many people CVS hopes to reach out to or how many clinics it plans to conduct outside of its stores.Ĭhaguturu said CVS call center workers will help people set up appointments over the phone or guide them through the digital scheduling system.ĬVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger and many other major retailers with pharmacies began administering COVID-19 vaccines a week ago after receiving their first vaccines for retail distribution. Last week, CVS began scheduling appointments for people at 350 stores across 11 states: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
The company is also offering $5 in loyalty-card rewards to customers who get boosters in its stores."Recognizing that there is increased hesitancy among communities of color, it was really important for us to address this through a multi-pronged strategy of vaccine education, access and equity," CVS Care Chief Medical Officer Sree Chaguturu said in an interview with USA TODAY. Walgreens is offering bonuses to pharmacists and staff members who become certified as pharmacy technicians capable of administering shots.CVS said it was looking to quickly fill 25,000 clinical and retail jobs during a one-day virtual career event held on Sept.Both companies have said they plan to increase their minimum hourly wage to attract more workers to help with the booster campaign. Both CVS and Walgreens are struggling with labor shortages.For booster shots, CVS and Walgreens are asking patients to schedule appointments instead of walking in.Booster-seekers will have to present their CDC vaccine cards to verify they received two doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, with the second dose being administered at least six months ago. CVS and Walgreens said they would rely on booster-seekers to accurately report their eligibility.
Below are five things to know about the companies' plans, according to a Sept. Now that millions of Americans are eligible to receive COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer, the country's largest pharmacy chains - CVS and Walgreens - are preparing to administer the shots.
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