Biden Administration Announces Government Plan to Send Covid Vaccines Directly to Pharmacies

The Biden administration will begin distributing Covid-19 vaccines directly to retail pharmacies across the United States, according to President Joe Biden’s coronavirus advisor Jeff Zients.

The White House Covid-19 Response team held a press briefing on Tuesday to announce updates on the nation’s vaccine supply and rollout plan, including the launch of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

“We have increased supply by more than 20 percent since we took office. And we have succeeded in our efforts to secure the equipment required to extract a sixth dose from Pfizer’s vials,” Zients said. “Vaccine kits ship to states, tribe, and territories with Pfizer vials now contain the syringe required to get enable a 20 percent increase in the Pfizer doses.”

Zients also clarified that these vaccine vials will be shipped in addition to the 10.5 million doses that are set to be distributed this week.

Explaining that the program aims to provide more locations for people to get vaccinated within their communities, and an easier way to make appointments, Zients noted that local pharmacies already handle the distribution of medication and vaccines, such as flu shots.

On February 11th, the federal government will begin delivering vaccine vials directly to equipped pharmacies across the country, meaning doses will start arriving at 6,500 pharmacies by next week.

“Equity is at the core of how the Centers for Disease Control is working with states to select pharmacy partners for this first phase,” he explained.” Sites are selected based on their ability to reach some of the populations most at risk for severe illness from Covid-19, including socially vulnerable communities.”

Watch above, via MSNBC.