Dr. Cheryl Pegus, Walmart executive vice president, Health & Wellness. (Walmart)

Walmart and Sam’s Club have announced a new COVID-19 vaccine milestone: Immunizations are available to customers and associates in all of their more than 5,100 pharmacy locations nationwide, across 49 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

This includes 143 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in Alabama. Vaccines are being administered via  walk-up and scheduled appointments, providing convenient options for customers and members to get protected against COVID-19 where they shop for groceries and health care essentials. The company is rolling out programs to encourage people to get a vaccine and continue efforts to increase access across the country.

“Now that supply and eligibility have expanded, it’s even more important for us to reach underserved and vulnerable populations to ensure equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president, Health & Wellness. “Widespread vaccination is the only way we will eventually end the pandemic and help our country reopen, and we don’t want anyone to get left behind as we enter this new chapter in our fight against COVID-19.”

Providing education on vaccine effectiveness: Get Out The Vaccine campaign

Walmart launched a nationwide Get Out The Vaccine (GOTV) campaign to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

The GOTV campaign, an extension of the retailer’s role in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and the existing vaccination program, provides education materials in Walmart stores and clubs about the effectiveness and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. As part of the effort, Walmart is using mobile clinics to bring vaccines into communities via events and gatherings. Walmart partnered with the National Hot Rod Association at its Southern Nationals Event in Commerce, Georgia, to offer walk-up vaccinations for race fans, educational resources with background on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and a Walmart branded dragster with information on how to schedule a vaccine.

Reaching into communities

Medical experts agree that the faster the American population gets vaccinated for COVID-19, the faster life will return to normal. (Getty Images)

Walmart and Sam’s Club continue emphasizing vaccine access in locations that reach customers in vulnerable communities. With the expansion of vaccine supply nationwide, there are now nearly 4,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations administering the vaccine in locations designated as medically underserved areas by the health resources and services location (HRSA). To encourage vaccination in these communities, Walmart and Sam’s Club will continue partnering with national and local nonprofits, community partners and faith-based organizations on community vaccine events.

Walk-ins welcome

All Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy locations across Alabama are now accepting walk-in vaccine appointments, as supply allows, in addition to scheduled appointments. Customers who schedule an appointment may complete pre-vaccination paperwork ahead of time.

Appointments can be made at walmart.com/COVIDvaccine and samsclub.com/covid. Walmart Pharmacies are open seven days a week (Sam’s Club pharmacies are closed on Sunday), and are administering the approved J&J, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Membership is not required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Sam’s Club.

Encouraging associates to get vaccinated

Walmart and Sam’s Club continue to strongly encourage, but not mandate, employees to get vaccinated. To help make this process as easy as possible, the retailers are:

• Offering appointments to their employees in stores and clubs.
• Providing two hours paid time to get a vaccination, regardless of where employees get their shots.
• Allowing employees to get the vaccine during their work shifts if vaccines are being offered at their location.

Both Walmart and Sam’s Club have enhanced their COVID-19 emergency leave policy to include three days of paid leave for any vaccine side effects employees experience. Walmart and Sam’s Club will continue to work to increase the accessibility and availability of COVID-19 vaccines nationwide. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout at Walmart and Sam’s Club, visit corporate.walmart.com/covid-vaccine.