Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies at 74 locations across Alabama will begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment on Feb. 12.
The program is administered by the federal government in 22 states, and the vaccines shipped to the stores will be on top of vaccine allocations states are already receiving.
Walmart worked to identify stores located in medically underserved areas to be chosen to administer vaccines, the company said in a statement, which included Brewton, Alabama, which is the only location to administer the vaccine for 102 miles.
“Ninety percent of the country lives within 10 miles of a Walmart. We’re at the heart of many rural and underserved communities, and we are committed to providing access to vaccines as groups become eligible,” said Dr. Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president of health and wellness at Walmart, in a statement. “Vaccinations to achieve widespread immunity are important for re-opening across the country. We’re proud to work together with the federal government, states, communities, customers and associates to reach that goal.”
Currently, those age 65 and older, frontline health workers, police and firefighters, grocery store workers, those living in congregate settings, correctional officers, education workers, the clergy and the judiciary are eligible to receive vaccinations in Alabama.
Walmart’s online scheduling portal on Tuesday didn’t list education workers as being eligible to schedule and receive a vaccination at its pharmacies, but an ADPH spokesman in a response to APR’s questions Tuesday said education workers should have been included in Walmart’s list of eligible persons.
“Walmart is indeed following the eligibility guidelines we have here in Alabama. I have brought this to their attention so it can be corrected going forward,” said ADPH spokesman Ryan Easterling in the message.
To check availability and to schedule a vaccination, you can visit Walmart’s COVID vaccine website. A Sam’s Club membership is not needed to schedule and receive a vaccination at a Sam’s Club pharmacy location.
