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Walmart Canada readies COVID-19 ‘Vax-a-thon’

On-the-spot vaccines to be available at over 250 pharmacies

Russell Redman

August 18, 2021

2 Min Read
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For the Vax-a-thon, pharmacists will set up at the front of stores to talk with customers about the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada plans to hold a “Vax-a-thon” event to help more Canadians get vaccinated against COVID-19, as the virus’ highly contagious Delta variant spreads rapidly worldwide.

On Aug. 19, COVID vaccines will be available on a walk-in basis, as well as through appointments, at more than 250 Walmart Canada pharmacies from coast to coast, the Mississauga, Ontario-based Walmart subsidiary said Wednesday.

For the company’s first-ever Vax-a-thon, pharmacists will set up at the front of stores to talk with customers and educate them about the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Shoppers who decide they want to receive a COVID immunization during the event will be able to do so on the spot.

“We have an enormous sense of pride to be part of the vaccine rollout to help get Canadians immunized. Our mission is to help Canadians live better, and part of that mission includes greater access to vaccines,” Shelly Kiroff, senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness at Walmart Canada, said in a statement. “From the very beginning, our goal has always been to help as many customers as possible, and our commitment to our customers' health and well-being is stronger than ever.”

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Thus far, Walmart has administered more than 375,000 COVID vaccine doses across Canada.

Customers will be able to receive first or second COVID shots at participating pharmacies during the Vax-a-thon. Walk-in vaccinations will be administered as supply allows and in accordance with provincial eligibility requirements.

Related:Walmart providing digital COVID vaccine records for customers

To date, Walmart pharmacists have administered more than 375,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses across Canada.

As in the United States, the Delta strain of COVID-19 now accounts for the majority of cases in Canada. About 71.4% of Canada’s total population (81.5% ages 12 and older) has received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 61.9% (70.7% ages 12 and older) are fully vaccinated, according to data from Health Canada.

Five COVID-19 vaccinations currently are approved for use in Canada, including the two-shot Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD (Verity Pharmaceuticals, Serum Institute of India and AstraZeneca) vaccines and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Overall, Walmart Canada operates more than 400 stores and 337 pharmacies and has another 68 Accès Pharma chez Walmart franchise locations in Quebec, with over 1,300 pharmacists and affiliated pharmacists nationwide.

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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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