Those eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts might be able to do so at their local grocery store.
Massachusetts was one of the first states to launch what is called the COVID-19 CDC Pharmacy Partnership - Phase 1, which utilizes CVS, Walgreens, and grocery store pharmacies to administer vaccines. Last week, the program had a soft launch at about 15 CVS and Walgreens locations, but the effort was expected to expand on Monday, bringing grocery store pharmacies into the mix.
If you are trying to get vaccinated at your local grocery store, here’s what you need to know about which locations have the vaccine, as well as how and when you can sign up.
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Stop & Shop on Tuesday announced that vaccinations at some of its stores across the state have already begun. The company said its pharmacies can safely store and administer the vaccine from Cambridge biotech Moderna. Those eligible to receive a shot based on the state’s vaccination timeline can schedule an appointment using Stop & Shop’s online scheduling system.
Once people enter their zip code, the website will display stores within a 30-mile radius, as long as they have available appointments. (Some Mass. residents have reported that all available appointments have been booked).
Governor Charlie Baker said Tuesday that those 75 and older could begin scheduling vaccination appointments on Wednesday. But Stop & Shop said its site would begin accepting appointments for those individuals starting Feb. 1, the first day they are eligible to receive a shot. That age group is prioritized in Phase 2 of the state’s vaccination timeline.
Several other supermarket chains in Massachusetts will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine as well.
Wegmans said it has launched vaccination sites in four grocery stores — in Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Northborough, and Westwood — which all have a pharmacy. On its website, Wegmans indicates that it expects to receive a limited supply of the vaccine on a regular basis, and it will “open online scheduling for appointments as shipments are confirmed.”
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“At this time, there is not a confirmed schedule,” the company wrote, adding that the amount of vaccine they receive depends on how much the federal government allocates to the state, and how much the state allocates to each region and provider.
Hannaford Supermarkets has purchased additional freezers and trained its pharmacy staff to administer the vaccine, and stores in Leominster, Middleborough, Taunton, Uxbridge, and Waltham are listed on its website as vaccination locations. The supermarket also has an online scheduling system similar to Stop & Shop.
Price Chopper said it was opening its scheduling site for vaccination appointments on Friday for those in Phase 1 of the state’s distribution timeline. Appointments for those 75 and older — who are in Phase 2 — will become available on Feb. 1.
Big Y said, based on information from federal and state authorities, it believes the vaccine will be in its stores “sometime in early February.”
Anissa Gardizy can be reached at anissa.gardizy@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @anissagardizy8.