More COVID-19 Vaccines Coming To South Bay Thanks To Rite Aid

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Rite Aid announced Friday that all California locations will now offer COVID-19 vaccines and walk-ins at each store, including stores in San Diego County.

Rite Aid is expanding vaccinations beginning Friday to more than 2,500 locations in 17 states. This move follows the latest guidance from the Biden Administration as vaccination eligibility opens up for people ages 16 years old or older.

Rite Aid encourages everyone to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

"The availability of vaccines in every Rite Aid location is a major milestone in our ongoing effort to fight COVID-19," Jim Peters, chief operating officer of Rite Aid, said in a statement. "We've been on the front lines since the beginning of the pandemic, working across our store footprint to bring testing and vaccines directly to local communities."

People are encouraged to schedule vaccine appointments in advance to reduce wait time and guarantee the vaccine is available. Walk-ins are also available, which allows people who may have limited internet access or need more flexibility for scheduling to get their doses.

"Vaccine availability is improving every day, and our pharmacists are ready to administer vaccines safely and efficiently, providing the benefits of pharmacist-administered vaccines in a safe and sterile environment right in your neighborhood,” Peters said. “Also, in addition to the grassroots efforts we've undertaken with our community partners, the availability of these walk-in appointments provides another way for those with limited or no technology access to more easily obtain COVID vaccines. We encourage everyone to make an appointment, or walk-in, today."

Rite Aid's certified immunizing pharmacists are currently administering the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

People ages 18 and over can schedule appointments using the Rite Aid scheduling tool at www.RiteAid.com/covid-19.

People ages 16 and 17 can schedule an appointment with guardian consent at any store administering the Pfizer vaccine by contacting the store's pharmacy directly. Pfizer is the only approved vaccine for that age group.

These are the Rite Aid locations in San Diego County:

A full list of Rite Aid stores can be found on the website.