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Which Major Retailers Are Giving Coronavirus Vaccines?

Pharmacy chains are beginning to accept walk-in appointments

by Aaron Kassraie, AARP, Updated May 7, 2021

medical provider giving an immunization to a patient

le chat noir/getty images

En español | Almost six months into the country’s largest vaccination campaign, President Joe Biden set a new goal for 70 percent of adult Americans to have a COVID-19 vaccine shot by July 4. To assist in this effort, a number of retail pharmacies have increased the locations providing shots and are beginning to offer walk-in appointments. The White House estimates that at least 90 percent of Americans live within 5 miles of a vaccination site.

The pharmacies receiving doses from the U.S. government are part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. There are 13 participating chain pharmacies in the program that encompass dozens of retail brands. Eight pharmacy network administrators, which supply independent pharmacies and long-term care pharmacies, are also participating in the program.

Those looking to get inoculated may also go to vaccines.gov, enter their zip code, and select which vaccines they are willing to take (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson) and how far they are willing to travel to get a shot. People may also text their zip code to 438829 and get a text message back that gives the nearest place they can go where vaccines are in stock.

Check the AARP vaccine guide for your state for information on how to sign up for an appointment.

the covid vaccine in your state

The latest on how to get the vaccine.

Chain pharmacies

Here is the full list of chain pharmacies and pharmacy network administrators participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. The participating retail pharmacies will vary by state and territory, so be sure to visit a pharmacy's website to find out if it is providing the COVID-19 vaccine in your community. Click on the links below to learn more about vaccine availability near you.

Albertsons

Many of its stores across the country are administering vaccines. Albertsons owns:

Costco Wholesale

Costco is providing a limited number of vaccines, typically Moderna, in select locations. Patrons of stores in all states, except Washington, can schedule an appointment here. Washington state residents may choose their preferred Costco location here to schedule an appointment. Some locations may accept walk-ins.

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CVS Pharmacy

CVS is providing COVID-19 vaccines in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia by appointment only. Additional information on its vaccine distribution can be found here. Walk-ins are welcomed, subject to availability. CVS also owns:

H-E-B

H-E-B is providing vaccines to those 16 and older across Texas. Walk-ins are accepted Monday through Friday only, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Hy-Vee

Sign up for COVID-19 news and obtain updates on Hy-Vee’s vaccination distribution in eight states. Appointments may be scheduled but are not required at all of its pharmacy locations.

Kroger

Kroger and its subsidiary pharmacy stores are administering COVID-19 vaccines across 36 states. Visit its COVID-19 page to see if you are eligible and where shots are being provided near you. Kroger owns:

Meijer

Customers may register online to get their COVID-19 vaccine or call their local pharmacy or text "COVID" to 75049 or try walking in to receive a shot. When a vaccine becomes available, Meijer will text or call you with a clinic date and time. You will then have 24 hours to accept, defer or be removed from the list. Vaccinations are available at all of its stores.

Publix Super Markets

Publix is offering vaccines in seven states through its COVID page. Before your appointment, the company may ask for state-specific requirements that indicate proof of residency. Walk-ins are accepted in Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Retail Business Services

Stores in at least 10 states and Washington, D.C., are providing vaccines. Visit your preferred grocer's COVID-19 information page below for more information. Retail Business Services, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, services these stores:

Rite Aid

Rite Aid is currently distributing vaccines at all of its locations. Shots can be scheduled through its website or by walk-in, as supplies are available. 

Walgreens

COVID-19 vaccines are available in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Customers should create a Walgreens pharmacy account, complete a screening and then choose a location and time for a vaccination. To find an appointment or sign up for updates, visit this page. Otherwise, walk-in’s are subject to availability. Walgreens also owns:

Walmart

Walmart is providing vaccines across the country. Use the map on its COVID-19 page to be routed to your health department’s website, or schedule a vaccine through walmart.com. All Walmart and Sam’s Club locations are accepting walk-in appointments as supply allows. Walmart also owns:

Winn-Dixie Stores

Shots are being provided at participating stores across five states. General information is listed on its COVID-19 page. Walk-ins are also welcomed. Winn-Dixie also owns:

Pharmacy Network Administrators

CPESN USA

The Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network of community-based pharmacies offers the vaccine across the country within its 50 local networks in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Patients can receive updates directly from their local pharmacy, according to a spokesperson. CPESN pharmacies can be located through this finder tool.

GeriMed

Retail and long-term care pharmacies are being supplied with vaccines in six states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Good Neighbor Pharmacy and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. pharmacy services administrative organization (PSAO), Elevate Provider

AmerisourceBergen says it will place orders with the CDC for its eligible Good Neighbor Pharmacies and Elevate Provider Network members.

Good Neighbor Pharmacy echoed that vaccines will be coming soon to its participating locations.

Health Mart Pharmacy

Health Mart Pharmacy independent pharmacies are administering COVID-19 vaccines. Appointments can be scheduled here.

Innovatix (long-term care pharmacies)

LeaderNET and the Medicine Shoppe, Cardinal Health's PSAOs

Cardinal Health is working with the CDC to administer vaccines to its over 4,300 independent retail, small-chain and long-term care pharmacies.

Check with your local Medicine Shoppe to see if you can sign up for a vaccine.

Managed Health Care Associates

MHA is assisting its retail and long-term care pharmacies in ordering COVID-19 vaccines. However, it could not comment on its participating locations.

Topco Associates (supplier)

Editor's Note: This story, originally published on Feb. 11, 2021, has been updated to reflect new information.

Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency's Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English.