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HHS enlists food and drug chains to boost COVID-19 vaccine access

About 60% of U.S. pharmacies could administer free coronavirus immunizations under partnership program

Russell Redman

November 13, 2020

7 Min Read
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Under the the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Strategy for COVID-19 Vaccination program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with large chain, regional and independent retail pharmacies to accelerate the administering of coronavirus vaccines, once available.Albertsons

With several COVID-19 vaccines on the way, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is partnering with large chain pharmacies across the food, drug and mass retail channel and independent pharmacy networks to ensure wide consumer access to the eagerly awaited immunizations.

HHS said yesterday the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Strategy for COVID-19 Vaccination program will provide coronavirus vaccine coverage across about 60% of pharmacies in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Via partnerships with network administrators, independent pharmacies and regional chains will also be part of the federal pharmacy program, which HHS noted will help provide COVID-19 vaccination access in traditionally underserved areas.

The initiative is part of Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the federal government’s project to accelerate the development, manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics by working with private firms and coordinating efforts among HHS, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.

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"The vast majority of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.

“Ensuring access and affordability of the COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans is a top priority for the Trump Administration,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement. “We are leveraging the existing private-sector infrastructure to get safe and effective vaccines supported by Operation Warp Speed into communities and into arms as quickly as possible with no out-of-pocket costs. The vast majority of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, and our new agreement with pharmacy partners across America is a critical step toward making sure all Americans have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines when they are available.”

Related:Hy-Vee adds more drive-up COVID-19 test sites

Over the past couple of months, HHS has taken steps to make it easier for pharmacies nationwide to administer COVID-19 immunizations.

In September, the department issued guidance authorizing state-licensed pharmacists to order and administer Food and Drug Administration-approved coronavirus vaccines to people ages 3 and older. State-licensed or registered pharmacy interns also were authorized to administer the vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacist. Then in October, HHS expanded its authorization to enable qualified pharmacy technicians and state-authorized pharmacy interns to administer childhood and COVID-19 vaccines, as well as COVID-19 tests.

“Since 2012, CDC has worked extensively with pharmacies to improve pandemic preparedness, conduct vaccine throughput exercises, and assess store and organizational response capabilities,” according Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a unit of HHS. “Through these partnerships, we will leverage established relationships to support our critical public health mission of vaccinating the American public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Related:Kroger rolls out rapid antibody COVID-19 testing to all pharmacies

Chain and community pharmacies and pharmacy networks partnering with HHS on the COVID-19 vaccine access program include Ahold Delhaize USA, Albertsons Cos., Costco Wholesale, CPESN USA, CVS Health, Good Neighbor Pharmacy (AmerisourceBergen), Health Mart (McKesson), H-E-B, Hy-Vee, The Kroger Co., Medicine Shoppe/Leader (Cardinal Health), Meijer, Publix Super Markets, Southeastern Grocers, Walgreens and Walmart.

A host of regional food and drug retailers also are serving as federal pharmacy partners for coronavirus vaccinations via Topco Associates, including Acme Fresh Market, Big Y Foods, Brookshire Grocery, Coborn’s, Hartig Drug, King Kullen, Food City, Ingles Markets, Price Chopper, Raley’s, Save Mart Cos., SpartanNash, Tops Friendly Markets, ShopRite, Wegmans Food Markets and Weis Markets.

“Supermarket pharmacists stand ready to be part of the COVID-19 vaccination effort," stated Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI-The Food Industry Association. "FMI’s member companies operate roughly 12,000 supermarket pharmacies nationwide, with pharmacists providing in-depth patient counseling and comprehensive immunization services. Moreover, the ability for consumers to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at the same location where they already purchase food and other essentials not only makes vaccine access more convenient, but it also makes it safer and reduces the risk of exposure in the midst of a pandemic. Finally, already being such trusted health care providers to their customers, supermarket pharmacists can play a key role in addressing patient concerns and highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated. 

"It is vital for supermarket pharmacies to be part of the solution," Sarasin added. "We look forward to working with HHS to ensure that supermarket pharmacies play a significant role in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination effort.” 

According to HHS, pharmacy partners will directly order and receive allocations of COVID-19 vaccines from the federal government. The immunizations will be provided at no cost to the pharmacy operators and be administered free to consumers at retail locations.

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“When a vaccine is ready, our pharmacists will play a critical role in administering this important public health service," said Albertsons Cos.' Omer Gaijal.

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons noted that the federal government will be able to distribute COVID-19 vaccines “quickly and efficiently” to millions of people by providing the inoculations directly to jurisdictions and pharmacies. The food and drug retailer said its pharmacies will work with the CDC and the states in its trade area to optimize delivery by coordinating and tracking distribution. The company’s pharmacy banners include Osco, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons/Albertsons Market, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaw’s, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, Market Street, United, Vons, Pavilions, Amigos, Lucky’s, Pak ’n Save and Sav-On.

“Throughout this pandemic, our pharmacy teams have been on the front lines, offering care and health solutions for our communities,” commented Omer Gaijal, senior vice president of Albertsons Cos. Pharmacy and Health, which operates 1,725 pharmacies across its retail banners. “When a vaccine is ready, our pharmacists will play a critical role in administering this important public health service.”

The Giant Company, an Ahold Delhaize USA supermarket chain, said its 132 Giant and Martin’s pharmacies have signed on as a federal pharmacy partner for administering COVID-19 vaccines. Pharmacies at Ahold Delhaize’s other U.S. chains — Stop & Shop, Giant Food, Food Lion and Hannaford — also are participating through the company’s Retail Business Services arm.

“Our pharmacists are trusted health advisers in the local communities that we serve and well-equipped to safely administer future COVID-19 vaccines,” stated Leigh Shirley, director of pharmacy operations at Carlise, Pa.-based Giant Company, which operates about 190 stores overall in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. “Being part of this federal pharmacy program lays the groundwork once a vaccine is available to help increase access to and distribution of the vaccine.”

Currently, no COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized or approved by FDA and recommended by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, according to HHS. The department said the federal pharmacy partnership was formed in the expectation that one or more coronavirus vaccinations will be authorized or approved and recommended for use in the United States before the end of 2020. Published reports, however, say mass distribution of one or more vaccines isn’t likely until at least mid-2021.

COVID-19 vaccines now in Phase 3 trials include candidates from Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Novovax, among others.

Steve Anderson, president and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), called the HHS announcement “historic,” noting that it reflects the expertise of pharmacy professionals and the high level of consumer trust in pharmacy staff.

“NACDS national and regional members are extremely well-prepared, as a result of their hard work, planning and execution and as a result of the education and training of pharmacy teams. National and regional pharmacies alike will be partnering at the federal and state levels in this historic vaccination initiative,” Anderson said in a statement on Friday. “As we have seen throughout the pandemic, it also will be critical to continue to anticipate, identify and resolve any nagging barriers that stand in the way of efficient administration of COVID-19 vaccinations and other services that are essential to the American people. NACDS members maintain a proactive footing in engaging with federal and state government leaders in that important work.”

*Editor's Note: Article updated with comment from FMI.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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