Kroger and ShopRite will help administer the COVID-19 vaccine nationwide via their pharmacies and clinics, in partnership with the federal government and state health departments. They are the latest retailers to announce their participation, joining Walmart, Walgreens, CVS Health, Stop & Shop and others in distributing the vaccine as widely as possible.
Kroger will provide the vaccine through its Kroger Health division, which consists of 2,200 pharmacies and 220 clinics. Kroger Health is hiring nearly 1,000 health care personnel, including pharmacy technicians, to support operations and the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as training current associates.
“Kroger Health is a COVID-19 response leader that has provided our patients, associates and other businesses with diagnostic testing tools and supporting resources since the onset of this public health crisis,” said Colleen Lindholz, President of Kroger Health in a statement. “Kroger Health’s experienced health care providers remain committed to helping our patients and associates live healthier lives. The size and scale of our health care operation provides us with the unique ability to efficiently facilitate COVID-19 testing and immunize a large portion of the U.S. population, once the authorized vaccines become more widely available.”
ShopRite is working with the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control to vaccinate shoppers at select ShopRite pharmacies once the official rollout begins. The retailer also is working closely with state and local jurisdictions to participate in earlier phases of the campaign that aim to reach prioritized populations, including healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and frontline workers.
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“We’re proud to take part in this groundbreaking public health campaign, which could significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Jeffrey Mondelli, VP of Pharmacy, Health & Beauty at ShopRite parent company Wakefern Food Corp. in a statement. “The federal program is aiming to mass immunize the population throughout the spring of 2021, and our pharmacists are up to the challenge and ready to help our communities.”
ShopRite will announce its participating pharmacies at a later date.
