Supermarket Pharmacy Staff, Food Industry Workers to be Prioritized for COVID-19 Vaccines

Strategic Insights -

Supermarket pharmacy staff and food industry workers will be among the first groups in the nation to receive COVID-19 vaccines, following health care personnel and long-term care facility residents in Phase 1a of U.S. coronavirus vaccination allocation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has proposed vaccinating approximately 24 million people, including health care professionals, in hospitals, emergency medical services, pharmacies, outpatient clinics, home health care, and public health and long-term care facilities, as well as residents of skilled nursing and assisted living centers. Supermarket pharmacies, which provide immunization services and health care counseling to customers, will be instrumental in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ACIP has proposed vaccinating approximately 24 million people, including health care professionals, in Phase 1a of U.S. coronavirus vaccination allocation.
  • Supermarket pharmacy staff, food industry workers, and essential workers, including grocery and food industry employees, will be prioritized for COVID-19 immunization in subsequent phases (Phase 1b and 1c).
  • The COVID-19 impact on long-term care facilities has been devastating, with residents and staff representing 6% of the coronavirus cases and 40% of the deaths in the U.S. through November 24.
  • Through November 30, at least 243,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 858 deaths from the virus among health personnel have put a strain on the nation's health care system.
  • Supermarket pharmacies, which provide 20% of the nation's flu vaccines, will play a significant role in administering COVID-19 vaccines to the public when they are available.
  • The ACIP's recommendation also reflects the view of a majority of Americans, with 73% of adults surveyed thinking health care workers should receive priority when COVID-19 vaccines become available.
  • Essential workers, including grocery and food industry employees, are earmarked for COVID-19 immunization in Phase 1b, following health care workers and long-term care facility residents.

Statistics:

  • 24 million people proposed to be vaccinated in Phase 1a (health care personnel and long-term care facility residents).
  • 243,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 858 deaths from the virus among health personnel (as of November 30).
  • 73% of U.S. adults surveyed thinking health care workers should receive priority when COVID-19 vaccines become available.
  • 20% of the nation's flu vaccines provided by supermarket pharmacies.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
  • FMI-The Food Industry Association
  • Kaiser Family Foundation
  • Harris poll (August 2020)
  • United Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW) union
  • Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center