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Publix tops 300,000 mark in COVID-19 vaccines administered

In Florida, vaccinations become available today at 593 pharmacies

Russell Redman

February 12, 2021

3 Min Read
Publix_food_pharmacy_storefront.jpg
Publix said that over 250,000 of the coronavirus vaccinations given so far were provided through its pharmacies in Florida.Publix Super Markets

Publix Super Markets has provided more than 300,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in four states since it began administering the vaccine a week into the new year.

Publix said Friday that, through the end of Feb. 11, its pharmacies have administered over 250,000 doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine to customers in Florida and roughly 50,000 doses to customers in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Earlier this week, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix received COVID vaccine doses from the state of Florida and the federal government, enabling Publix Pharmacy to inoculate eligible individuals — residents ages 65 and older — at 593 locations in 41 Florida counties starting on Feb. 12.

To date, Publix has administered 100% of the 250,000-plus first doses of vaccine it was allocated in Florida, the company said. The Moderna vaccine, for ages 18 and older, requires two shots given 28 days apart.

“Publix is a company founded on a commitment to service, and I am proud of the role we have played in the past month to serve our communities during this time of need,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “There is tremendous demand for this vaccine, and we are grateful our customers are looking to and trusting us to provide it. It is our hope that continued collaborations with the states in our operating area and the federal government will allow us to quickly increase the number of customers we can vaccinate in the weeks ahead.”

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

Publix kicked off its COVID-19 vaccination program on Jan. 7 with a 22-store pilot in Florida, announced with Gov. Ron DeSantis. The effort — for seniors, health care personnel, and long-term care residents and staff — came several days after the state called on retailers for assistance in administering the vaccine, the company noted.

In the ensuing weeks, Publix rolled out Moderna COVID vaccines to pharmacies in Georgia and South Carolina and then followed up with subsequent allocations in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Earlier this month, the company initiated vaccinations in Virginia.

Publix_Dain_Rusk-FL_Governor_Ron_DeSantis-COVID_vaccine_press_conference-Jan2021.png

Publix launched its COVID vaccine effort in early January at a press conference with VP of Pharmacy Dain Rusk (left) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right).

The COVID-19 vaccines are administered by Publix Pharmacy at no charge, while supplies last. Customers must schedule an appointment using the publix.com/covidvaccine online reservation system. After receiving the first dose, patients are automatically scheduled to receive their second dose at the same location four weeks later. Though the vaccinations are free, customers must bring their health insurance card or Medicare Part B card to their appointment, and those without health coverage will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.

Related:Biden administration expedites COVID-19 vaccine distribution to pharmacies

Overall, Publix operates more than 1,000 pharmacies in its 1,268 stores across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The company added that it is working with states in its market area on their COVID vaccine distributions and, when more doses become available, will announce the dates and times its online appointment system opens in each state.

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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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