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JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Florida state’s Walmart and Sam’s Club locations will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines on Friday as part of the federal retail pharmacy program.
Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement during a media briefing outside a Walmart drugstore in Jacksonville on Tuesday afternoon, saying 119 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in 34 counties would offer the vaccinations to people 65 and older.
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“And that’s over 30% of their total footprint in Florida, which is a great start,” DeSantis said. “So about 25,000 doses for the Walmart part of the mission. And I think they have a great plan. They broadcast it quite far. “
In total, Florida is expected to receive 65,300 doses under the federal retail pharmacy program, of which 25,000 will go to Walmart and Sam’s Club stores. With 119 locations sharing approximately 25,000 doses, each location would receive approximately 210 doses, if distributed evenly.
“You don’t have to be a Sam’s Club member to be able to get vaccinated at a Sam’s Club pharmacy, which we obviously appreciate a lot because we want it to be as widely available as possible,” DeSantis said.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced Monday that 17 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in Orange County will be part of the federal retail pharmacy program. At the time, the mayor said stores would vaccinate around 300 people per day.
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Publix and Winn-Dixie will also receive more doses of the vaccine thanks to the federal program, according to the governor.
“Publix will also be receiving more doses now than they received from the state alone and so they will also grow,” DeSantis said. “So right now they’re in 325 pharmacies across 23 counties. As of the end of this week, they will be in nearly 600 public stores across 41 counties. “
A statement from the governor’s office clarified that there are currently 324 Publix sites offering vaccinations through its partnership with the state and 269 new sites would begin offering doses with its allocation from the federal government. All 593 Publix sites across the state will administer vaccinations. Publix operates 756 pharmacies across Florida.
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DeSantis did not say how many doses Publix or Winn-Dixie would receive from the federal government.
The Publix website now lists the availability of upcoming appointments in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties. You can find more details about these appointments and locations here.
Winn-Dixie will offer vaccinations at 43 of its locations, including stores in Brevard, Lake, Marion, Sumter and Volusia counties, according to the governor’s office. It is not known how many doses the grocery chain is allocated by the federal government. You can find a full list of locations offering dates here.
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The doses coming to Florida from the federal program will be in addition to the 325,000 doses already allocated to the state, according to the governor. This would bring the total state allocation to around 390,300 doses.
However, even with the extra doses coming from this federal program, DeSantis predicted that it would still be some time before the state’s immunization plans spread beyond healthcare workers, first responders. and the state’s population 65 and over.
“It puts us in a range where it will take a few more weeks to really get through probably all the seniors who really want it,” DeSantis said. “I know there are people out there who are not in their 65s and over who are… who are eager to get it. We want to get it to you. “
Those wishing to make appointments at Walmart locations can go to walmart.com/covid or samsclub.com/covid to book appointments at Sam’s Club locations.
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The governor said Publix will also offer more appointments for the vaccination this week. The store said its online appointment registration portal will open at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Appointments can be made at publix.com/covidvaccine.
Appointments with Winn-Dixie can be made at winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine.
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