CVS Health Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Access Across Country

CVS Health will begin to offer COVID-19 vaccinations February 11 to eligible populations at a limited number of CVS Pharmacy locations across 11 states in the United States.

Supply for the initial rollout, which is sourced directly from the federal government through the pharmacy partnership program, will be approximately 250,000 total doses, according to a release. As more supply becomes available, the company will expand to additional states while increasing the number of stores offering vaccinations.

"Our presence in communities across the country makes us an ideal partner for administering vaccines in a safe, convenient, and familiar manner," said Karen S. Lynch, president and chief executive officer of CVS Health, in the release. "This is particularly true for underserved communities, which have been a focus for us throughout the pandemic."

There are nearly 10,000 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide, with almost half located in communities ranked high or very high in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Social Vulnerability Index. More than 90,000 healthcare professionals including pharmacists, licensed pharmacy technicians, and nurses will participate in the vaccination effort, giving CVS Pharmacy the capacity to administer 20 to 25 million shots per month, the release said.

States approved for expansion opportunities are:

• Virginia
• Texas
• South Carolina
• Rhode Island
• Maryland
• Hawaii
• New York
• New Jersey
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• California
  

CVS Health is also working directly with Indiana (utilizing two CVS Pharmacy locations) and Ohio (19) to provide in-store vaccinations to eligible populations using state allocations. Other states may choose the same option, which is separate from the federal pharmacy partnership program but can run concurrently.

Vaccines in a retail setting will be offered on an appointment-only basis through CVS.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app. Those without online access can contact customer service: (800) 746-7287. For CVS Pharmacy locations that will begin to offer COVID-19 vaccinations February 11, appointments will become available for booking as early as February 9 as stores receive shipment.

Long-term care vaccination effort remains on schedule

CVS Health has administered the first round of COVID-19 vaccine doses to nearly 8,000 skilled nursing facilities, and second doses are more than 60% complete. First doses at all long-term care facilities that selected CVS Health to provide COVID-19 vaccinations – more than 40,000 in total – will be complete by mid-February.

As made clear by regularly updated data the company makes publicly available, most states chose activation dates for assisted living and other facilities well into January, which prevented clinics from being scheduled earlier.

More information on steps CVS Health has taken to address the pandemic is available at the company's frequently updated COVID-19 resource center.