This morning, Walgreens pharmacists administered the first COVID-19 vaccines to residents of long-term care facilities in the United States. Our Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Pessina, addressed colleagues across the company to honor this historic moment.
Dear Colleagues,
It is with immense pride that I write to congratulate Walgreens on administering our first COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. today. From working with government officials, vaccine manufacturers and distributors, to showing care in informing and educating our colleagues, customers, patients and communities, the team has demonstrated incredible dedication in planning for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Over the last decade, more than 70 million various vaccines have been administered in our stores and through off-site clinics across the U.S. Since the onset of the pandemic, Walgreens has helped accelerate the availability of COVID-19 tests, ensured access to essential medicines and products, ramped up the annual flu immunization program and served as a safe and trusted source of information and resources. I am very proud of how our pharmacists continue to rise to the challenge in serving the needs of patients in combating the pandemic, and I know we have all it takes to manage the unique challenges we are going to face throughout the unprecedented and monumental mass administration process of these COVID-19 vaccines.
As we embark on the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccinations across the U.S., we will continue to follow state guidelines for vaccination prioritization and proactively reach out to our customers as inventory is available. Additionally, as COVID-19 vaccines are approved for emergency use throughout several countries in the world, our teams across Walgreens Boots Alliance are equally ready and dedicated to supporting vaccine education, distribution and administration.
This is a seminal moment in our history, in our society and for our company. Our role as an essential public service provider in the community has never been more critical or clear and will be crucial in the global effort to bring an end to this pandemic.
My very best,
Stefano
