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Publix passes 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations

Southeastern grocer currently provides shots in four states

Russell Redman

March 19, 2021

2 Min Read
Publix grocery store-exterior.jpg
Publix pharmacies began administering COVID-19 immunizations in early January, starting in Florida with the Moderna vaccine.Publix

Publix Super Markets has administered its 1 millionth dose of COVID‑19 vaccine in Florida.

Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix said yesterday it reached the milestone in addition to providing more than 140,000 coronavirus shots through pharmacy locations in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Publix began administering COVID vaccinations in early January, starting in Florida with 15,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

“When Publix was approached to assist in administering these life-saving vaccines, we didn’t hesitate to say yes because we believe it is a privilege to care for our communities during a time of need,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “I’m extremely proud of our pharmacy, store and support teams for their hard work over the past 10 weeks. Their dedication and commitment to service have played a large part in the success of our efforts.”

Publix has been one of the most active supermarket chains in apprising customers of COVID vaccine availability, regularly announcing dates when its online reservation system at publix.com/covidvaccine becomes open for appointments, based on supply. The company surpassed 250,000 vaccinations in Florida and 50,000 doses administered in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia in mid-February.

Yesterday, Publix opened its online reservation system for COVID‑19 vaccination appointments at 70 pharmacies in 31 counties in Georgia, with federal guidelines requiring priority given to K-12 teachers and other school staff and child care workers, based on the grocer’s participation in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which allocates the vaccine directly to pharmacies.

Related:Publix says pandemic boosted fiscal 2020 sales by 12.1%

Also eligible for shots, according to Georgia state guidelines, are health care workers; law enforcement, firefighters and first responders; people ages 18 and older with disabilities and certain medical conditions; people ages 55 and older; judges and court staff; parents of children with complex medical conditions; caregivers; and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.

Earlier this week, Publix opened its reservation system for coronavirus shots at 55 South Carolina pharmacies in 16 counties for appointments available March 18 to 24, excluding Saturday and Sunday.

The COVID-19 vaccines are provided at no cost, though customers with health insurance are asked to bring their insurance card to their appointment and Medicare recipients their Medicare Part B card. Those without health insurance will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.

Related:Publix offers store gift card to employees receiving COVID-19 vaccine

Publix said it continues to communicate with other states in its operating area to provide COVID vaccinations as part of its distribution efforts. Overall, the retailer operates 1,268 stores — including over 1,000 pharmacies — in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

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Publix Super Markets

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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