MADISON, Wisconsin (WMTV) – Nearly 200 Walgreens locations across the country will soon begin offering coronavirus vaccinations as part of a new federal program launched this week.
On Thursday, the Department of Health Services explained the effort the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program in Wisconsin will begin at 178 Walgreens pharmacies. The agency noted that many of the stores are in underserved parts of the state.
“This partnership is another tool to support the extraordinary work that local public health is doing in our communities,” Governor Tony Evers said in a statement.
Health officials warn that the new pharmacy-based initiative will have limited scope to get started, due to supply constraints. For starters, the 178 pharmacies will have to deliver 17,800 doses of Moderna vaccine.
Wisconsin Walgreens will offer the COVID-19 vaccine only to those who qualify according to DHS guidelines. The relatively low doses, however, mean that not everyone who qualifies may be able to receive the vaccine right from the bat.
While several groups are expected to be added in early March, the vaccine is only approved for:
- First line health workers;
- Residents in qualified health care and long-term care institutions;
- Police officers, firefighters and correctional officers;
- People over the age of 65.
Those who qualify will need to set up an online appointment through the Walgreeens website. A call center is expected to be created for those who do not have internet access, however, according to DHS, it is not available at this time.
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