On October 22, Walgreens company said that now COVID-19 testing with availability for children age 3 and older in all testing locations. At this moment the company is working to increase access to COVID-19 testing in communities across the U.S., the company announced that its testing sites are available for those age 3 and older. Previously, testing has been available to those who are at least 18 years old and over.
“We’re continuing to expand our COVID-19 testing program to improve access in the communities we serve, and this will help to address the growing need for testing for children and adolescents,” said Rick Gates, senior vice president of pharmacy, Walgreens.
“As more health departments and school administrators continue efforts to bring students back to classrooms in a safe and thoughtful manner, and to help parents and guardians seeking access to testing when warranted for their children, we’re proud to be a community testing resource for individuals and families – including those age 3 and over.”
How to Sign Up?
The company announced that parents and guardians can register and schedule a testing appointment for kids for COVID-19 testings on their web page, and will be required to provide electronic consent as well as accompany any minor to the testing location.
At testing sites, Walgreens pharmacy team will provide instruction to the parent on how to administer the COVID-19 test to a child. Adolescents may self-administer the COVID-19 test if desired.
Company remind, that testing is available at no cost to individuals who meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established criteria. They expect that the majority of patients will receive test results within 24 to 72 hours, pending overall lab capacity.
This decision of the company became more actual since The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the first COVID-19 vaccine.
“The FDA is committed to expediting the development and availability of COVID-19 treatments during this unprecedented public health emergency,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D.
“Today’s approval is supported by data from multiple clinical trials that the agency has rigorously assessed and represents an important scientific milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the FDA’s Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program, the agency will to continue to help move new medical products to patients as soon as possible, while at the same time determining whether they are effective and if their benefits outweigh their risks.”
New 80 Walgreens COVID-19 Testing Sites
While The COVID-19 pandemic is still going over the world, and in the U.S., at this moment, was confirmed more than 8,800,00 million cases, the company tries to minimize risks for the patient and open more testing’s centers.
“Walgreens operates approximately 620 COVID-19 testing sites across the country and in Puerto Rico with an additional 80 locations expected to open later this week. The company continues to focus on underserved communities as part of its testing program, with more than 70 percent of Walgreens testing sites currently located in areas that the CDC has identified as socially vulnerable”, – was published in article.
