Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today joined representatives from a number of retail pharmacies in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination to commemorate the close partnership working throughout the pandemic to ensure that vaccines are available close to home and from trusted providers.
“The vaccine providers working to vaccinate Pennsylvanians each and every day are protecting us from further spread of COVID-19,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “Our retail partners have, without hesitation, taken on a number of missions to vaccinate Pennsylvanians, such as working with the Department of Human Services, the Department of Aging and other state agencies to vaccinate long-term care facility residents and staff, early childhood educators and working with businesses, colleges and universities, schools, and community organizations. These providers have locations in every community and have built trusted relationships with individuals. We appreciate the work they are doing and will continue to do to ensure that every Pennsylvanian who wants to get vaccinated has access to vaccine.”
Since the vaccination efforts began, several federal retail pharmacies have been working to assist in vaccinating Pennsylvanians. Representatives from the following federal retail pharmacies have signed a Letter of Intent highlighting past support for and continued partnership with the Department of Health in vaccination efforts:
- Albertsons (ACME and Sav-On)
- Amerisource Bergen (Good Neighbor Pharmacies)
- Costco
- CPESN (Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network)
- Retail Business Services (The GIANT Company)
- Rite Aid
- Topco (Giant Eagle, Price Chopper, Tops Markets, Redner’s, Wegmans, Weis)
- Walgreens
- Walmart (Walmart and Sam’s Club)
Since COVID-19 vaccines were approved through Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 25 percent of the nearly 10 million vaccinations in Pennsylvania have been provided by the federal retail pharmacy partners.
The federal retail pharmacies have worked closely with the Department of Health to increase vaccine availability in areas of the commonwealth with lower vaccination rates. The pharmacy partners have been instrumental in expanding the geographic reach of the vaccine and lowering barriers to access. These partners are working to ensure anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine is able to get vaccinated, including offering walk-in clinics. Many are also working with local groups to host vaccination events directly in their communities. With adolescents 12-15 years of age now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, the retail pharmacies are working to increase Pfizer availability at their sites and partnering with schools to vaccinate students onsite.
“Each time we have asked our retail partners for assistance, they have stepped up to the plate and said yes,” said Acting Secretary Beam. “Their commitment has been exemplary, and we look forward to the continued collaboration to vaccinate Pennsylvanians.”
For the week of May 18, federal retail pharmacy partners ordered close to 170,000 doses of vaccine for 680 stores across the state.
The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to all Pennsylvanians:
- All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
- A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
- All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
- Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
- The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week.
- Frequently asked questions can be found here.
The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Get vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective vaccines available to provide the best layer of protection.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
- Clean surfaces frequently.
- Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
- Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.
Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark O'Neill - ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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