Costco Begins Administering COVID Vaccines In Several States

Costco is joining a growing list of retail pharmacies that are administering the coronavirus vaccine across the country. Costco announced that select locations in New York, California, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, and Puerto Rico will be administering the vaccines by appointment only.

"Costco is firmly committed to helping protect the health and safety of our members and employees and to serving our communities. Our pharmacies will be administering COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available, in accordance with CDC and state guidelines," the company wrote on its website.

The wholesaler said that anybody who is eligible for the vaccine should contact their local health department for information about scheduling a date and time to get vaccinated. The company added that local pharmacies will not book appointments and are not able to tell customers if they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Sam's Club, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens are also administering doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Last week, the Biden administration doubled the number of vaccines sent to retail pharmacies from one million doses to two million doses. Officials hope to have 40,000 pharmacies across the country equipped the administer the vaccine.

"This program will expand access in neighborhoods across the country so that people can call and make an appointment and get their shot conveniently and quickly," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. "This is a critical, critical part of our plan."

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