Walgreens starts COVID-19 vaccine sign-ups in Florida, but not in South Florida
The rollout of vaccines being administered at Walgreens pharmacies in Florida will begin in Pasco County, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday.
Sign-up will begin Thursday for two stores in Pasco County, the home of Zephyrhills, and the first shots start Friday. There will be 80 appointments available on weekdays and 60 on weekends.
The governor did not indicate when Walgreens would expand the program statewide.
Walgreens is the latest pharmacy to offer the vaccine in Florida through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, joining CVS, Publix, Walmart and Southeastern Grocers, the parent company for Winn-Dixie. The retail pharmacy program is separate from the state’s allocation of vaccines, which is designated for Department of Health locations, hospitals, Publix and other select sites.
Walgreens’ start toward administering the vaccine in Florida comes as about 175,000 doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine is earmarked for Florida. “We think we’re going to get it at the end of the week, we’re not sure,” DeSantis said. “I think this is going to be a really good week.”
A spokesperson for Walgreens did not respond to emails and phone calls this week that requested more details about the next counties in the rollout. The signup will be at www.walgreens.com.
On Wednesday, the federal government opened four FEMA-run vaccination sites, including one in Miami.
DeSantis also said Wednesday he could soon add day care workers to the list of those 50 and older that could be vaccinated. “I’m supportive of that,” he said. His order now includes grades K-12 classroom teachers, law enforcement officers and firefighters age 50 and older.
