Walmart and Sam’s Club It is expected to deliver 1 million doses of the coveted COVID-19 vaccine to Florida pharmacies this week, with vaccinations set to begin on Thursday.
Shipments are received as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. The program aims to accelerate the distribution of the vaccine and eventually expand to 40,000 pharmacies.
Nationally, 6,500 pharmacies will receive the vaccine.
Pharmacies in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are expecting substantial transportation, according to Florida lawmakers. But administering the vaccine will not be as easy as getting and vaccinating against the flu.
An appointment is required to receive the vaccine and you must meet with eligibility requirements. In Florida, priority is given to people aged 65 and over, as well as health care workers.
An online tool used to schedule appointments through pharmacies is expected to be launched in the coming days.
Senior health officials say most people should be successful in booking appointments in the coming months.
“Things will improve as we get from February to March to April, as the number of vaccine doses that will be available will increase substantially,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci.
In South Florida, vaccinations continue for those who need it most.
For example, 700 independent and assisted residents in the John Knox Village community in Pompano Beach, for example, will receive the first dose of vaccine tomorrow.
To date, 1,326,136 people in Florida have received the first dose of vaccine.
667,830 people were completely vaccinated.
Read more vaccine updates Here.