California Partners with CVS and Walgreens to Vaccinate Long-Term Care Facilities

Strategic Insights -

California has joined the federal COVID-19 Pharmacy Partnership, a program that will provide no-cost Pfizer vaccines to residents and staff in long-term care facilities. The partnership, led by CVS and Walgreens, aims to vaccinate those most vulnerable to the virus, leveraging the pharmacies' resources to effectively deploy vaccines to residents and staff in these facilities. The program will enable counties to leverage CVS and Walgreens pharmacy staff to administer the vaccine more broadly, prioritizing those who are at higher risk of COVID transmission.

Key Takeaways:

  • The federal COVID-19 Pharmacy Partnership will provide no-cost Pfizer vaccines to residents and staff in long-term care facilities through CVS and Walgreens.
  • The program will start with nursing homes and take approximately 3-4 weeks to complete, followed by vaccination of staff and residents in assisted living, residential care, and other long-term care facilities.
  • Approximately 499 nursing homes will be provided vaccine by CVS, and 357 by Walgreens, administered by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurses.
  • Pharmacy technicians are participating under a recent waiver by the Board of Pharmacy, which requires appropriate supervision and specialized training.
  • The partnership will also allow for vaccination of front-line healthcare workers and individuals in high-priority groups.
  • The program schedules and coordinates on-site vaccine clinic dates, orders vaccines and associated supplies, ensures cold storage, and provides on-site administration of the vaccine.
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities will receive vaccine from staff from CVS and Walgreens.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 499 nursing homes will receive vaccine from CVS.
  • Approximately 357 nursing homes will receive vaccine from Walgreens.
  • The program will take approximately 3-4 weeks to complete for nursing homes.
  • The partnership will provide no-cost Pfizer vaccines to residents and staff in long-term care facilities.

Sources:

  • California Governor's Office. (Dan Walters is the contact listed in the source material with no publication date and the source material has no release date)
  • CVS Health
  • Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
  • California Department of Public Health