CVS and Walgreens share vaccine distribution plans

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Now that the vaccine is being administered to health care workers in Tulsa, when can the general public get the COVID vaccine as easily as a flu shot?

Walgreens and CVS say after years of flu shots, and working with the CDC, they're prepared to vaccinate millions this spring across the country.

CVS estimates 10 to 12.5 million people will be vaccinated at CVS a month once there is enough supply for the general public.

"There's no such thing as competitors in a pandemic," CVS said in information sent to NewsChannel 8.

This is probably why the Walgreens and CVS vaccine distribution plans look similar.

Dr. Kevin Ban, chief medical officer for Walgreens, said as healthcare workers have already begun getting the vaccine, their big role is coming up.

"Next week the next phase will include long term care facilities," Ban said, "We will be going out to long term care facilities to vaccinate not only the people who live there but the employees who work there."

CVS will also begin vaccinations at long term care facilities starting Dec. 21.

"More than 40,000 facilities have selected CVS as their vaccination partner," CVS said.

Ban said Walgreens has done around 150,000 flu vaccine clinics in long-term healthcare facilities and the process is relatively the same.

"This starts with phase 1A which I again, that's the healthcare workers, long term care facilities, also in phase one we expect essential workers and people with chronic medical problems," Ban said, "Our expectation is that this will take us to the end of February early March to complete."

Walgreens estimates by April you could be lining up at its stores to get a vaccine, but according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, there's no exact date yet.

It all depends on vaccine availability and how quickly it's distributed through the various phases.

Both CVS and Walgreens say they're prepared specially because the infrastructure has been in place from years of giving flu vaccines. However, you'll need an appointment for both doses of the COVID vaccine at the two stores.

"Let's remember this is not like turning on a light switch," Ban said, "This is like turning on a dimmer switch where slowly and incrementally we want to be sure people come in and get vaccinated."

The stores are pioneering the unprecedented time by using their apps and websites to schedule the appointments.

Ban said Walgreens will also take phone calls, and CVS says they'll "have a dedicated 800 number for people without online access."

CVS says the shots will be administered at its stores by nearly 60,000 licensed pharmacy technicians nationwide, but they plan to hire 10,000 more by 2021.