CA Vaccine Rollout: How To Book An Appointment At Rite Aid

CALIFORNIA — Rite Aid pharmacies in California began offering appointments for a limited amount of coronavirus vaccines on Friday, the company announced. In partnership with the federal government, Rite Aid was set to receive about 100 doses a week at participating stores to start.

Currently, Rite Aid is accepting appointments for Golden State residents 65 and older, healthcare workers, long-term care residents and staff, pharmacy staff and public health employees, according to its registration guide.

More than half of Rite Aid's locations in California and six other states will receive vaccine shipments directly from the federal government. While supplies were predicted to run out quickly, Rite Aid officials said they expect to offer vaccines at all of their locations once production and supply increases.

Those who are eligible for a vaccine can make an appointment online, no phone calls or walk-ins will be accepted. Rite Aid is also offering free coronavirus testing for ages 4 and older at certain locations.

Here's how you can make an appointment in California:
1. Check your eligibility on Rite Aid's registration guide here.
2. Make an appointment and find a Rite Aid store closest to you here.

"Initially, vaccine appointments will still be difficult to schedule at any provider," Rite Aid CEO Heyward Donigan said in a news release. "However, we expect to see availability of the vaccine improve over time, and Rite Aid stands ready to administer as many vaccines as we are allocated quickly, safely and efficiently."

The news comes as California added millions to the vaccine eligibility list this week, but officials warn that with supply issues, getting each eligible resident inoculated could take months. Beginning March 15, people ages 16 to 64 who have disabilities or an underlying health condition listed by the state's health department will become eligible for vaccination.

"With vaccine demand outpacing supply, the establishment of an additional channel for vaccine allocation and distribution is an important and positive first step in the effort to end COVID-19," Donigan said.

On Friday, the state recorded its highest day of coronavirus vaccine doses given, Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted Saturday. Earlier in the week, the governor also announced that 1 in 10 residents had been vaccinated in the state.

To date, 5,768,684 vaccine doses have been administered in California and 8,372,700 vaccines have been shipped, according to the state's vaccine dashboard. The state has picked up its vaccination pace, inoculating more than 1 million in five days this week. The previous million took more than a week to administer.

"We can't move fast enough," Newsom said of the vaccine rollout as he spoke from Petco Park last week.

The state has recorded 3,391,036 cases of coronavirus to date and 9,421 on Saturday, a slight increase from the prior day. More than 46,435 deaths have been recorded, with 433 reported on Saturday.