Senior Advisor, Sycamore Partners
Walgreens Administers First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines in Over 75 Percent of Long-Term Care Facilities
The company has administered more than 1.75 million COVID-19 vaccinations to-date
DEERFIELD, Ill., February 1, 2021 - Walgreens has provided more than 1.75 million COVID-19 vaccinations across long-term care facilities and other vulnerable populations identified as part of state and local jurisdiction distribution plans. Additionally, the company has completed first dose vaccinations in more than 75 percent of long-term care facilities that selected Walgreens as their vaccine provider and remains on track to complete remaining first doses by mid-February.
In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Walgreens provided vaccination clinics to skilled nursing facilities first. The company has completed the administration of all first doses and more than half (55 percent) of second doses of COVID-19 vaccine in skilled nursing facilities that selected Walgreens as their vaccine provider.
“While vaccine hesitancy has been a challenge at some of these facilities, our pharmacists have played a critical role in providing education and information to help residents and staff understand the important role these vaccines will play in helping the nation emerge from this pandemic,” said John Standley, president, Walgreens. “We are already applying our experience and learnings from these clinics to help expand access to vaccinations to additional communities across the nation.”
Walgreens began administering COVID-19 vaccinations as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program in December and has conducted or scheduled nearly 70,000 clinics across long-term care facilities. At least three clinics are planned with each long-term care facility site to ensure all residents and staff are protected. These clinics take place between 21 to 28 days apart. To date, the company has completed 185 third clinics across long-term care facilities, with another 276 third clinics scheduled to take place this week.
As long-term care facilities registered for the CDC’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, they provided an estimate on how many COVID-19 vaccines they would need. Due to a number of factors, including vaccine hesitancy, the number of vaccines needed for this program has since decreased.
“While the number of vaccines needed for the long-term care program is trending lower than facilities anticipated, Walgreens nationwide footprint and pharmacist expertise has enabled us to work with states and jurisdictions to rapidly re-allocate excess doses to achieve the shared goal of vaccinating the most vulnerable populations as quickly as possible,” said Standley.
The initial supply of vaccine is extremely limited and available to eligible individuals by appointment only at designated Walgreens stores. Eligible individuals vary based on state and jurisdiction guidelines and may include healthcare workers, people ages 65 and older and individuals with pre-existing conditions. Eligible individuals may register for an appointment using Walgreens online scheduler. COVID-19 vaccines are not available to the general public. Walgreens will not be providing vaccinations on a walk-in basis during Phase 1.
Information and data regarding Walgreens long-term care facility vaccination efforts are available here with updates provided at approximately 4 p.m. CT on weekdays. More information on Walgreens efforts to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic is available here.
Additional imagery, b-roll and multimedia assets are available on the Walgreens newsroom.
Contact(s)
Kelli Teno
Walgreens Media Relations
media@walgreens.com
In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Walgreens provided vaccination clinics to skilled nursing facilities first. The company has completed the administration of all first doses and more than half (55 percent) of second doses of COVID-19 vaccine in skilled nursing facilities that selected Walgreens as their vaccine provider.
“While vaccine hesitancy has been a challenge at some of these facilities, our pharmacists have played a critical role in providing education and information to help residents and staff understand the important role these vaccines will play in helping the nation emerge from this pandemic,” said John Standley, president, Walgreens. “We are already applying our experience and learnings from these clinics to help expand access to vaccinations to additional communities across the nation.”
Walgreens began administering COVID-19 vaccinations as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program in December and has conducted or scheduled nearly 70,000 clinics across long-term care facilities. At least three clinics are planned with each long-term care facility site to ensure all residents and staff are protected. These clinics take place between 21 to 28 days apart. To date, the company has completed 185 third clinics across long-term care facilities, with another 276 third clinics scheduled to take place this week.
Walgreens Continues Work with State and Jurisdictions to Expand Vaccinations
While initial inventory of vaccine remains limited, Walgreens is working with more than 20 states and jurisdictions to distribute and administer their vaccine allocations in select stores. Additionally, Walgreens continues to support states and jurisdictions to determine how they would like to re-allocate excess doses from the long-term care facility program, which may include expanding vaccinations to additional prioritized individuals in Walgreens stores or returning the vaccine to the state to administer according to their needs.As long-term care facilities registered for the CDC’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, they provided an estimate on how many COVID-19 vaccines they would need. Due to a number of factors, including vaccine hesitancy, the number of vaccines needed for this program has since decreased.
“While the number of vaccines needed for the long-term care program is trending lower than facilities anticipated, Walgreens nationwide footprint and pharmacist expertise has enabled us to work with states and jurisdictions to rapidly re-allocate excess doses to achieve the shared goal of vaccinating the most vulnerable populations as quickly as possible,” said Standley.
The initial supply of vaccine is extremely limited and available to eligible individuals by appointment only at designated Walgreens stores. Eligible individuals vary based on state and jurisdiction guidelines and may include healthcare workers, people ages 65 and older and individuals with pre-existing conditions. Eligible individuals may register for an appointment using Walgreens online scheduler. COVID-19 vaccines are not available to the general public. Walgreens will not be providing vaccinations on a walk-in basis during Phase 1.
Information and data regarding Walgreens long-term care facility vaccination efforts are available here with updates provided at approximately 4 p.m. CT on weekdays. More information on Walgreens efforts to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic is available here.
Additional imagery, b-roll and multimedia assets are available on the Walgreens newsroom.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy. As America’s most loved pharmacy, health and beauty company, Walgreens purpose is to champion the health and wellbeing of every community in America. Operating more than 9,000 retail locations across America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health destination serving approximately 8 million customers each day. Walgreens pharmacists play a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system by providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services. To best meet the needs of customers and patients, Walgreens offers a true omnichannel experience, with platforms bringing together physical and digital, supported by the latest technology to deliver high-quality products and services in local communities nationwide.Contact(s)
Kelli Teno
Walgreens Media Relations
media@walgreens.com