Publix offering walk-in vaccinations in seven states

Publix pharmacies in seven states began accepting walk-in customers for COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday.

The news, first announced on Friday, comes as health officials in states around the U.S. are battling vaccine hesitancy among Americans and have stated that they hope making vaccines more convenient to get will spur more Americans to get their jabs.

“Starting May 10, all Publix Pharmacy locations will accept walk-in customers who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine, in addition to those who schedule appointments online, while supplies last,” said the chain on its website.

“Vaccinations are provided to eligible individuals ages 18 and older, and walk-in customers may choose between the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, pending availability. Customers who receive the Moderna vaccine will be provided with an appointment to receive their second dose. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose,” the company added.

Publix’s announcement follows CVS’s announcement last week that its pharmacies across the nation would also soon begin accepting walk-ins for vaccinations.

“We continue to orchestrate an all-out effort to vaccinate the nation against COVID-19,” CVS Health’s President Karen Lynch told The Hill.

Walmart is also offering walk-in vaccines, and Walgreens is offering same-day COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

While the news likely means that vaccines will become much easier to obtain for millions of Americans, private companies have come under fire for the number of doses wasted during their rollout efforts.

CVS in particular faced criticism after it was revealed that the chain was responsible for roughly half of all wasted COVID-19 vaccine doses in March.