Grocery Chains Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot Access

Strategic Insights -

Landover, Md.-based Giant, Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans, Publix, H-E-B, and Big Y Foods have expanded access to COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, with Giant, Wegmans, and H-E-B offering the shots to eligible patients on a walk-in basis. Giant's 152 in-store pharmacies are providing the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccination, while Publix began providing the boosters on Sept. 24 and announced the rollout of Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines last Friday. H-E-B began accepting walk-ins for COVID shots Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. last week. Big Y Foods, a Springfield, Mass.-based chain with 71 supermarkets in Massachusetts and Connecticut, kicked off "Big Y's Big Vax Week" last Sunday, offering on-site immunization clinics for COVID and seasonal flu shots, as well as other vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Giant's 152 in-store pharmacies are now offering the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccination on a walk-in basis to eligible patients, including seniors, long-term care residents, and individuals with underlying medical conditions.
  • Wegmans began providing the Pfizer COVID booster shots yesterday at all of its pharmacy locations by appointment only, with patients needing to bring their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or other proof of vaccination.
  • Publix has been offering Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines since Sept. 24, with the company announcing the rollout of Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines last Friday.
  • H-E-B began accepting walk-ins for COVID shots Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. last week, with an appointment required for all other days and times.
  • Big Y Foods, a Springfield, Mass.-based chain with 71 supermarkets in Massachusetts and Connecticut, kicked off "Big Y's Big Vax Week" on Sunday, offering on-site immunization clinics for COVID and seasonal flu shots, as well as other vaccines.
  • All of these grocery chains are providing the Pfizer booster shots to eligible patients, with boosters available for seniors, long-term care residents, and individuals with underlying medical conditions.
  • The vaccines are provided free and on a walk-in basis, though customers can still make an appointment for a shot.
  • Patients are asked to bring their health insurance card, driver's license, and COVID vaccination card to their visit.

Statistics:

  • 152: The number of in-store pharmacies operated by Giant that are now offering the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccination on a walk-in basis.
  • 106: The number of stores operated by Wegmans, which began providing the Pfizer COVID booster shots yesterday at all of its pharmacy locations.
  • 1,248: The number of stores operated by Publix, which has been offering Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines since Sept. 24.
  • 71: The number of supermarkets operated by Big Y Foods in Massachusetts and Connecticut, which kicked off "Big Y's Big Vax Week" on Sunday.
  • Sept. 22: The date on which the FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer's COVID booster.
  • Sept. 24: The date on which Publix began providing the Pfizer COVID booster vaccines.

Sources:

  • Giant Food: "Giant To Offer Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Vaccination"
  • Wegmans: "Wegmans Expands COVID-19 Booster Shots"
  • Publix: "Publix Offers COVID-19 Booster Shots"
  • H-E-B: "H-E-B Offers COVID-19 Booster Shots"
  • Big Y Foods: "Big Y Big Vax Week"