How Walgreens, CVS, and Other Pharmacies are Rolling Out COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

Editor’s note: This story includes information available through the publication date. It will be updated as events unfold. For the latest updates on vaccine availability, please see our pharmacy pages for CVS, Walgreens, Costco, Publix, Kroger, and more.

Key takeaways:

• President Biden said all adults should be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine starting May 1. Some states are ahead of schedule, announcing they will make vaccines available to adult residents at various times in March and April.

• More retail pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccines at select stores across a growing number of states.

• Stores such as CVS and Rite Aid ask people to check their local vaccine eligibility and sign up for appointments using online scheduling tools.

• States are trying to vaccinate as many high-priority groups as they can to stay ahead of virus variants that are more transmissible. 

More states are loosening eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine as vaccine supplies increase and a new deadline approaches for all adults to become eligible. 

On March 11, President Joe Biden called for states to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccination starting May 1. Some states have announced they will be ready before then. States such as Michigan,  Utah, and Ohio said they will welcome all adult residents at retail pharmacies and other vaccination sites starting on various dates in March and April. 

When will we get back to normal or near-normal? 

The pandemic in the U.S. appears to be a mixed picture. Deaths from COVID-19 have surpassed 539,000. Case rates are still high at about 60,000 new cases a day. But they’re leveling off in some areas and rising in others, causing concern about a possible resurgence of hotspots similar to what Europe has been experiencing. 

Vaccination rates are accelerating after a slow, frustrating rollout and recent winter storms delayed vaccine shipments around the country. More than 13% of all Americans are fully vaccinated, including 42% of people 65 and older. Public health officials urge people to continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing as the population works toward herd immunity. 

In many places, people in high-priority groups —such as older adults —struggle to find open vaccine appointments. Here are some tips and tricks for nabbing a chance at a shot.  

Cautious optimism has more governors easing restrictions and some lifting mask mandates meant to curb the virus. California’s theme parks and attractions are reopening at limited capacity. 

At the same time, scientists are warning about COVID-19 variants that are more easily spread from person to person and threaten to undo recent gains against the virus. Some manufacturers are working on vaccine booster shots to combat the new strains of the virus. 

President Biden said that “conditions can change” and variants “may make things worse again,” but he set a goal of July 4 for returning to semi-normal.

“I need you to get vaccinated when it’s your turn and when you can find an opportunity, and to help your family and friends and neighbors get vaccinated as well,” Biden said on March 11. He noted that if enough people get vaccinated, small groups will be able to gather safely to celebrate the July 4 holiday.

“After this long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we  begin to mark our independence from this virus,” Biden said. 

As more schools reopen for in-person learning, teachers and school staff are now prioritized for vaccination in every state but Montana, according to EducationWeek. Another two states —Florida and West Virginia — have age-based requirements for teachers seeking COVID-19 vaccines.

On March 19, the CDC updated its recommendations for schools. The agency now says three feet of distance between elementary, middle, and high school students is sufficient in the classroom instead of six feet, assuming universal wearing of face masks. But in areas where virus transmission is high and students aren’t kept with the same group of peers and teachers throughout the day, middle and high school students should maintain six feet of distance. That’s because studies show older students are more likely to get and transmit the virus than younger students. The CDC also called for improving ventilation within school buildings.

Who is first in line?

Consumers are advised to make sure they’re eligible for the vaccine and to check pharmacy websites often to see if they can get an appointment.

Pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS have been providing the first phase of vaccines at long-term care facilities. They’ve been on site at select nursing homes and assisted living facilities to vaccinate residents and staff who have suffered a disproportionately high death toll from COVID-19. Many frontline healthcare workers are also receiving the vaccine at their workplaces.

These vulnerable people make up priority group 1a, the first group recommended to receive the vaccine based on criteria adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It has been difficult to get enough vaccines to the estimated 21 million healthcare workers and 3 million long-term care residents who are eligible for the first round. 

To pick up the pace, the federal government in mid-January announced expanded vaccine eligibility for people 65 and older and people with chronic health conditions that put them at risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

How are states adjusting priority group recommendations? 

In January and February, states responded differently to the push for expanded eligibility. This created confusion and frustration in some areas. Out of necessity, some states stuck to vaccinating only healthcare workers and long-term care residents, while others tried to accommodate the expanding list of priority groups. 

As the pandemic raged on, reports of some healthcare workers turning down vaccines and states falling behind on moving supply raised concern that some vaccines were going to waste. As a result, federal health officials in early January began urging states not to stick too tightly to CDC’s priority recommendations.

 State public health departments can adapt and set their own guidelines to match their populations’ needs. California and New York were among the first states to announce they would loosen vaccine restrictions while still looking to be fair and protect the people most at risk. 

As of early March, nearly half (48%) of frontline healthcare workers nationwide hadn’t received a single dose of the vaccine, compared with 42% who have been fully vaccinated. That’s according to a survey from KFF/Washington Post. About two-thirds of healthcare workers in hospitals and outpatient clinics have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but only 26% of those working with patients in their homes have received a vaccine. 

Where do we stand with COVID-19 vaccines?

Pfizer-BioNTech received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its vaccine on December 11, 2020, and another vaccine from Moderna got approval a week later. Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine is approved for use in people age 16 and older. Moderna’s vaccine can be given to people age 18 and older. 

A third COVID-19 vaccine, a single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), received emergency-use FDA approval on February 27, 2021. It can be given to people age 18 years and older.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has said its pharmacies can deliver 100 million vaccinations in 30 days when supply is available.

How are pharmacies preparing to administer COVID-19 vaccines? 

The federal government is working with 21 national pharmacy partners and independent pharmacy networks to get shots into arms. Some retail pharmacy chains post “We have a limited supply!” or “Schedule your COVID-19 vaccination today” notices front and center on their websites. Others make vaccine information harder to find. Many are discouraging phone calls to local pharmacies asking to schedule vaccine appointments at this time. Here’s a look at what some retail pharmacy and grocery chains are doing.

CVS Pharmacy (including Long’s)

As part of the federal program, CVS pharmacy is administering the COVID-19 vaccine in about half the states and Puerto Rico to high-priority groups ahead of a broader rollout. The company is offering targeted vaccination clinics for eligible groups in select stores in:

• Alabama

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• California

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Florida

• Georgia

• Hawaii

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• Montana

• Nevada

• New Jersey

• New York

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Oregon

• Pennsylvania

• Puerto Rico

• Rhode Island

• South Carolina

• Texas

• Utah

• Vermont

• Virginia

Customers can book through the CVS Pharmacy app, on CVS.com/pharmacy, or through a toll-free customer service phone number 1-800-746-7287. For the most updated CVS vaccine information, go here. 

Walgreens (including Duane Reade)

On its website, Walgreens says it’s offering a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines in some states at select stores. Customers are encouraged to create a Walgreens.com pharmacy account and complete a short eligibility screening. For the most updated Walgreens vaccine information, go here. 

Rite Aid

Rite Aid is offering vaccines in 11 states and two cities:

• California

• Delaware

• Maryland

• Michigan

• New Jersey

• Ohio

• Oregon

• Pennsylvania

• Virginia

• Washington

• Philadelphia (eligibility criteria differs from Pennsylvania)

• New York City

Rite Aid advises customers to be patient when checking their eligibility and trying to make appointments. Appointments are updated daily. For the most updated Rite Aid vaccine information, go here.  

H-E-B

Many of H-E-B’s pharmacy locations are still working through vaccination waitlists for healthcare providers, according to its website. Once H-E-B receives another vaccine allocation from the state of Texas, it plans to continue offering COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare providers and to begin offering them to people in Phase 1B after that. In Texas, Phase 1B includes those age 65 and older as well as people age 18 and older who have at least one chronic health condition that puts them at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19. When supply increases, people will be able to schedule an appointment using an online scheduling tool on H-E-B’s website. 

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee has offered the vaccine to frontline healthcare workers and plans to roll it out at its 270 pharmacy locations across 8 Midwestern states when available and appropriate. Hy-Vee will offer vaccines in the following states:

• Illinois

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Nebraska

• South Dakota

• Wisconsin

Meijer

Midwest retailer Meijer is working with the state of Michigan to help administer vaccines. Meijer is prompting customers who want a vaccine to pre-register online. You can call your local Meijer Pharmacy or text  the word “COVID” to the number 75049 to receive a link to register. Meijer operates 256 supercenters and grocery stores in:

• Michigan

• Ohio

• Indiana

• Illinois

• Kentucky

• Wisconsin

Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies

Walmart offers an interactive map on its website where you can find stores offering vaccines. Walmart and Sam’s Club are offering the jabs in:

• Arkansas

• New Mexico

• Puerto Rico

• Chicago

• New Jersey

• Georgia

• Louisiana

• South Carolina

• Texas

• Indiana

• Kentucky

• Maryland

• District of Columbia

• Tennessee

• Delaware

• Wyoming

• Virginia

• Iowa

• Pennsylvania

The company is prepared to offer shots at its more than 5,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies when the time comes for a broader rollout. For the most updated Walmart vaccine information, go here.  

Kroger

Kroger has limited quantities of COVID-19 vaccines available at select locations. Eligibility varies depending on local health department criteria. Kroger offers links to check appointment availability. Just type in your ZIP code. States that now have limited vaccine quantities at select Kroger pharmacy locations include:

• Alaska

• Arizona

• California

• Colorado

• District of Columbia

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Mississippi

• Nevada

• Ohio

• Oregon

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Utah

• Virginia

• Washington

• West Virginia

• Wisconsin

Kroger also lists about 13 other states as “coming soon” or urges visitors to “check back for updates.” For the most updated Kroger vaccine information, go here. 

Albertson’s

Albertson’s asks eligible customers to input their ZIP codes on its website to search for a nearby store that can provide a COVID-19 vaccine. For the most updated Albertson’s vaccine information, go here.

Publix

Grocery store chain Publix is offering the Moderna vaccine at select pharmacies in three states:

• Florida

• Georgia

• South Carolina 

Demand for appointments continues to outstrip supply, but Publix encourages eligible customers to keep trying to secure a time on its online scheduling system. For the most updated Publix vaccine information, go here.   

Costco

Big box retailer Costco is offering a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines in select stores in:

• California

• New York

• Oregon

• Puerto Rico

Customers can check their eligibility and sign up for appointments through the online portal. For the most updated Costco vaccine information, go here. 

Target

Target will work with on-site partner CVS Pharmacy to deliver COVID-19 vaccines at select Target stores when supply improves. For the most updated Target vaccine information, go here. 

Safeway

Safeway’s website offers resources for eligibility questions and has an online appointment system for COVID-19 vaccines. The company says vaccine appointments fill fast. For the most updated Safeway vaccine information, go here.

What if I don’t live near a pharmacy or only have a few around?

Health officials are using different avenues, such as mobile health clinics and community health centers, to distribute vaccines to rural, low-income, and hard-to-reach populations. But even people who live in densely populated areas may find themselves vulnerable to “pharmacy desert” conditions. That’s when there are few retail pharmacies relative to the number of people living in an area. Wait times for services like a COVID-19 vaccine can grow longer than they would in places with sufficient pharmacy capacity. To find out whether you live in a pharmacy or vaccine desert, read GoodRx’s research here.

What should I know before getting a COVID-19 vaccine? 

For most people (those in Phase 2, who are age 16 and older without high-risk medical conditions), the vaccine is still a ways off. But this is an evolving situation, and for older people and those with chronic conditions, the opportunity to get a vaccine may present itself sooner rather than later. Here are a few things to know before you go.

• You’ll need an appointment: Pharmacy websites tell customers they will need an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Even when supplies increase, this won’t be like the flu vaccine where you can walk in and expect an arm jab on the spot.

• Bring proof of eligibility and your ID to your appointment: Some local governments require proof of residency and eligibility while vaccine supplies are tight. If you have a chronic condition, you may need medical documentation to confirm it. If you’re in an age-based priority group, come prepared with an official document or driver’s license showing your date of birth. Some facilities may ask to see your health insurance card if you have one, but that is only so they can bill the health plan for an administration fee. They aren’t allowed to charge you for any part of the shot.

• You’ll need to wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth: This should be done before, during, and after your vaccination. Even after your body builds immunity with the vaccine, it’s not yet clear whether you still may be able to spread the virus to other people while you remain healthy. 

• Dress for easy access to your upper arm: You might want to wear a T-shirt or something similar under your coat that won’t stand between a healthcare worker and your arm muscle.

• You won’t need money: You shouldn’t be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine. 

• You’ll get a fact sheet: It’s usually a one-page hand-out or electronic communication explaining about the vaccine’s risks and benefits and what to expect, including possible side effects. Knowing how the shot is administered may help put to rest any fears. 

• You’ll get a vaccine card: This will tell you which vaccine you received along with when and where you received it. The card will help you follow up with your second dose. 

• Expect to stay 15 to 30 minutes after vaccination: A pharmacist or healthcare worker will need to monitor you in the unlikely event that you have an allergic reaction. If you haven’t had a vaccine in a while, this is a routine part of getting inoculated. For the vast majority of people, it’s merely inconvenient. But post-vaccine monitoring is done for your protection. 

Who does the CDC say should be vaccinated first? 

The CDC priority group recommendations are:

Phase 1a:

• Healthcare workers

• Residents and employees of long-term care facilities

Phase 1b (may overlap with Phase 1c):

• Adults age 75 and older

• Teachers and childcare workers

• U.S. Postal Service workers

• Grocery store, food, and agricultural workers

• Manufacturing workers

• Police and firefighters

• Corrections officers

• Public transit workers

Phase 1c:

• Adults with high-risk medical conditions

• Adults ages 65 to 74

• Other essential workers such as those in law, construction, media, public safety 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kristen Gerencher, MSOT

Kristen Gerencher is an award-winning writer who has reported on healthcare, medicine, and insurance for a variety of national publications. Before contributing to GoodRx, she was a healthcare and personal finance reporter for MarketWatch.

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