On April 2, the Walmart Inc. announced about offering Walmart COVID-19 vaccines in 48 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
“As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout ramps up and vaccine eligibility widens, Walmart is administering vaccines in more than 3,800 stores and clubs across 48 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Walmart has worked to administer COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of residents in rural and vulnerable areas across the country,” – said Dr. Cheryl Pegus, Executive Vice President, Health & Wellness.
The Rural and Vulnerable Areas Vaccination
According to the company words, more than 80% of shots administered through the pharmacies and 60+ dedicated community events were in what HRSA designates as the most medically underserved areas of the country. For example, in Jackson, Mississippi, was partnered with the Jackson Housing Authority to set up in a community center for a low-income senior housing unit where it was administered nearly 2,000 vaccinations to vulnerable seniors.
“We remain focused on reaching communities with access issues and vaccine hesitancy, especially those located in medically underserved areas where Walmart has a presence. That continued focus will play a key role in reopening the country, and we hope to do even more and expand vaccine administration to all 5,400 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies when allocation allows. We’ve partnered with dozens of community organizations to host off-site clinics across the country, and we’re planning to expand our efforts with Walmart’s Mobile Wellness Fleet,” – Dr. Cheryl Pegus commented.
Mobile clinics will allow Walmart to expand our reach to deliver additional COVID-19 vaccinations directly to rural and hard to reach communities, where the company specifically worked with officials to target our allocation and efforts to increase access. To help ensure we’re serving as many populations as possible, Walmart continues to offer vaccinations in the pharmacies, drive-thru events in our parking lots and in offsite locations with community partners.
Walmart Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine Shots For Teachers
Teachers in all U.S. states are now eligible for vaccination, and Walmart is to support educators and staff across the country.
In addition to prioritized scheduling for educators at more than 1,400 locations, Walmart has also partnered with large school districts including Dallas ISD; Jackson, Mississippi, USD; Indianapolis ISD and Acero School System in Chicago to hold clinics at both school facilities and within Walmart pharmacies to vaccinate educators, school staffs and licensed childcare providers. Walmart partnered with Dallas Independent School District to administer more than 1,000 doses to their educators and staff.
“We’re doing everything we can to help strengthen our community of family, friends and associates during this difficult time. Our associates’ overall well-being – financial, physical and emotional – remains a top priority. Additionally, we are hosting vaccine events to make it easy and convenient for our associates to get vaccinated, if they choose.
This includes events in our distribution and fulfillment centers for Supply Chain associates, dedicated appointments in our pharmacies where we are administering the vaccine and a vaccine drive-thru in Northwest Arkansas for local associates near our Home Office, where we administered more than 1,200 vaccines to Walmart associates,” – the company said.
