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Walmart targets COVID-19 vaccine events at medically underserved areas

Vaccinations to be administered at on-site and off-site locations in 18 states

Russell Redman

February 26, 2021

3 Min Read
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Walmart said many of the 43 vaccine event locations were selected based on demographics, local health needs and health care access.Walmart

Over the next few weeks, Walmart plans to hold COVID-19 vaccination events at 43 locations in 18 states, particularly in communities with limited access to health care services.

Walmart said on Thursday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allocating vaccine doses for the project, launched in partnership with local community leaders and nonprofit organizations.

Coronavirus vaccine administration sites will include drive-thru locations in store parking lots, in-store areas and off-site venues, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant said. The off-site locations will be operated in tandem with community groups, such as Casa del Inmigrante/Immigrant Home Foundation, a nonprofit serving immigrants in Las Vegas; the Indianapolis Urban League in Indiana; and the Jackson Housing Authority and Wishrock at the Golden Key Envision Center in Jackson, Miss.

Many of the locations for the vaccine events were chosen following an analysis of area demographics, local health needs and gaps in access to medical care, Walmart noted. The company said it pinpointed communities where it could make the greatest impact for populations most in need.

“We have two goals as we administer vaccines: first, to reach as many people as possible to enable reopening efforts, and second, to ensure equitable vaccine distribution across the communities we serve,” Dr. Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president of health and wellness at Walmart, said in a statement. “We have focused most of our events in medically underserved neighborhoods, and we are proud to play a part in increasing access to the vaccine in these communities.”

Related:Walmart to begin COVID-19 vaccinations in 22 states

States where Walmart is slated to hold COVID vaccine events include Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

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Currently, Walmart is providing COVID vaccinations at 1,400-plus Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies in 35 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Walmart said the vaccination events expand its role within the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, launched earlier this month by the Biden administration to directly supply pharmacies with COVID-19 immunizations. The events also build on Walmart’s coronavirus vaccination program at more than 1,400 pharmacies in 35 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., in partnership with federal and state government.

“We will continue to engage within our communities to find new ways to reach additional customers with our vaccination programs as we work towards the eventual end of the pandemic,” according to Pegus.

Vaccine supply and eligibility varies based on state and local guidelines, Walmart said. Customers make vaccination appointments via Walmart’s online scheduler at walmart.com/COVIDvaccine. The company noted that appointment availability is limited and will be updated as supply permits. In addition, the digital scheduling tool will provide customers with a reminder when to return for the second dose. The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines each require two doses, with the second coming 21 days and 28 days, respectively, after the first shot. Customer can check Walmart locations offering COVID vaccinations at corporate.walmart.com/covid-vaccine.

Related:Walmart to leverage its scale to distribute COVID-19 vaccines

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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