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COVID-19 vaccines

Grocery Retailers Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Grocery retailers are playing a critical role in the national effort to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, with several major chains outlining their vaccination plans. Walmart, the largest grocery retailer in the US, has announced plans to offer COVID-19 vaccines 7 days a week at its pharmacies, with a goal of delivering 10-13 million doses per month at full capacity. The retailer has trained thousands of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to administer the vaccine and has partnered with state and federal agencies on vaccine allocations.

Walmart operates over 5,000 pharmacies in the US and Puerto Rico, many of which serve underserved communities and rural areas. The retailer's ability to reach a large population and provide vaccinations in "health care deserts" makes it an valuable asset in the national vaccine distribution effort.

Other grocery retailers, including H-E-B, Wegmans, and Harris Teeter, have also announced their plans to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. H-E-B has reported receiving a limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and has scheduled appointment-only clinics for people in Phase 1A and 1B of the state's vaccine allocation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Walmart plans to offer COVID-19 vaccines 7 days a week at its pharmacies, with a goal of delivering 10-13 million doses per month at full capacity.
  • The retailer has trained thousands of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to administer the vaccine and has partnered with state and federal agencies on vaccine allocations.
  • Walmart operates over 5,000 pharmacies in the US and Puerto Rico, many of which serve underserved communities and rural areas.
  • H-E-B has received a limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and has scheduled appointment-only clinics for people in Phase 1A and 1B of the state's vaccine allocation.
  • Wegmans has extended its COVID vaccine program to additional states and is operating vaccination clinics in multiple locations.
  • Harris Teeter has announced plans to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to its 211 pharmacies in a phased approach.
  • A global survey by NielsenIQ found that 64% of consumers worldwide will not take an approved COVID-19 vaccine immediately when available.
  • The survey also found that, in the US, 41% of respondents said they will get a coronavirus immunization immediately when it's available, while 29% said they will wait for some time.

Statistics:

  • Walmart plans to deliver 10-13 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine per month at full capacity.
  • H-E-B has scheduled appointment-only clinics for over 1,200 people in Phase 1A and 1B of the state's vaccine allocation.
  • Wegmans has operating vaccination clinics in multiple locations, including in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
  • Harris Teeter has 211 pharmacies that will distribute COVID-19 vaccines in a phased approach.
  • 64% of consumers worldwide will not take an approved COVID-19 vaccine immediately when available.
  • 41% of respondents in the US will get a coronavirus immunization immediately when it's available.
  • 29% of respondents in the US will wait for some time before getting vaccinated.

Sources:

  • Walmart: Dr. Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president of health and wellness
  • H-E-B: "H-E-B Reports Receiving Limited Supply of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine"
  • NielsenIQ: "Global survey finds many consumers hesitant to take COVID-19 vaccine immediately"
  • Wegmans: "Wegmans Expands COVID Vaccine Program to Additional States"
  • Harris Teeter: "Harris Teeter to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine"

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