COVID UPDATE: Giant, Acme, CVS, Rite Aid to deliver COVID-19 vaccine to pharmacies once approved

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – Customers who buy from Giant and Acme supermarkets, Walmart stores, CVS pharmacies, Walgreens and Rite Aid, and other retail businesses will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available , the US Department of Health, and Human Services said.

The Giant company announced on Friday that it would become a supplier of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The company, which has 132 Giant and Martin store pharmacies, said it has made a commitment to HHS to become a supplier “once a vaccine is authorized or approved and recommended for use in the United States.”

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“Our pharmacists are trusted health advisors in the local communities we serve and well equipped to safely administer future COVID-19 vaccines,” said Leigh Shirley, director of pharmaceutical operations for The Giant Company.

She added, “Being part of this federal pharmacy program lays the groundwork once a vaccine is available to help increase access and distribution of the vaccine.”
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The Giant Company said its team of pharmacists regularly administer vaccines, from annual flu shots to vaccines for pneumonia and shingles. It has stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Albertsons, which owns Acme and Safeway, has also signed on to the Federal Pharmaceutical Partnership Strategy for COVID-19 vaccination.

“Throughout this pandemic, our pharmacy teams have been on the front lines, delivering healthcare and healthcare solutions to our communities,” said Omer Gaijal, SVP of Albertsons Companies Pharmacy and Health, in a statement. “When a vaccine is ready, our pharmacists will play a vital role in the administration of this important public health service.”

The HHS said: “Currently, no COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at CDC. However, this pharmaceutical partnership is in progress. being established in anticipation of one or more COVID-19 vaccines will be licensed or approved and recommended for use in the United States by the end of 2020. “

Other companies that have partnered with HHS on the COVID-19 vaccine include Wegmans, ShopRite, Costco, and Weis Markets.

Below is the HHS list of chain and community pharmacy networks that have connected:

– Albertsons Companies, Inc. (including Osco, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaws, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, Market Street, United, Vons, Pavilions, Amigos, Lucky’s , Pak n Save, Sav-On)
– Costco Wholesale Corp.
– CPESN USA, LLC
– CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (including Long’s)
– Good Neighbor Pharmacy and PSAO from AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, Elevate Provider
– Health Mart Systems, Inc.
– HEB, LP
– Hy-Vee, Inc.
– LeaderNET and Medicine Shoppe, PSAO of Cardinal Health
– Managed Health Care Associates (MHA)

– Meijer Inc.
– Publix Super Markets, Inc.
– Retail Business Services, LLC (including Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford Bros Co, Stop & Shop)
– Rite Aid Corp.
– The Kroger Co. (incl., Kroger, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Frys, Ralphs, King Soopers, Smiths, City Market, Dillons, Marianos, Pick-n-Save, Copps, Metro Market)
– Topco Associates, LLC (including Big-Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center, Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Super One Pharmacy, FRESH by Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Coborn’s Pharmacy, Cash Wise Pharmacy, MarketPlace Pharmacy, Hartig Drug Company, King Kullen, Food City Pharmacy, Ingles Pharmacy, Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Pharmacies, Save Mart Pharmacies, Lucky Pharmacies, SpartanNash, Price Chopper, Market 32, Tops Friendly Markets, ShopRite, Wegmans, Weis Markets, Acme Fresh Markets)
– Walgreens (including Duane Reade)
– Walmart, Inc. (including Sam’s Club)
– Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. (including Winn-Dixie, Harveys, Fresco Y Mas)

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