Representative Ken Buck, R-Colo., Claims that he does not “fall” into the category of receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
Walgreens on Friday began administering the COVID-19 Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine, which became the first such vaccine last week to receive emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Walgreens pharmacists have begun administering the vaccine to nursing homes and care facilities in Ohio and Connecticut, the company said in a statement provided by FOX Business.
Starting next week, the company will provide vaccinations to about 800 long-term care facilities in 12 states, including many in rural and urban areas with poor health care, Walgreens said.
“The company will continue to expand vaccinations to nearly 3 million residents and staff at 35,000 long-term care units that have selected Walgreens as a vaccine provider as states finalize their distribution plans and receive vaccine allocations.” said the company.
“Walgreens is very proud to be part of this historic stage to begin administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable populations,” Walgreens President John Standley said in a statement. “With more than a decade of experience in administering various vaccines, we have the in-depth expertise to support this unprecedented effort to enable our nation to emerge from this pandemic. “
WALGREENS, CVs that hire thousands of workers to help with the distribution of vaccines
Along with Walgreens, CVS has also collaborated with national facilities to deliver the Pfizer vaccine.
As of Nov. 18, more than 25,000 long-term care sites have partnered with CVS to provide vaccinations at their facilities, according to the CVS website.
The retail pharmacy chain said the number of clinics will be determined by the number of long-term care facilities that select CVS Health as a vaccination partner through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey process.
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense partnered with Walgreens and CVS to provide and administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff of long-term care facilities across the country.
Both companies have also reached an agreement with federal health officials to distribute free vaccines to the general public once they become available. The aim is to make the production of a COVID-19 vaccine similar to that of the influenza vaccine.
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Chains like Rite Aid, drug stores in supermarkets like Albertsons and Publix and big stores like Costco and Walmart have also agreed to distribute vaccines once they are available to the general public beyond the priority groups.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said the partnerships were “a critical step toward ensuring that all Americans have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.”
Daniella Genovese of FOX Business and The Associated Press contributed to this report.