Publix Allows Walk-Ins For COVID-19 Vaccinations

LAKELAND, FL — As of Monday, Publix Pharmacy locations are accepting walk-in customers who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine, a news release from its Lakeland headquarters said.

Vaccinations are provided to eligible individuals ages 18 and older, and walk-in customers may choose between the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, pending availability. Customers who receive the Moderna vaccine will be provided with an appointment to receive their second dose.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose. Moderna requires two doses that must be taken 28 days apart, according to health officials. You are not fully vaccinated until 14 days after your second dose of Moderna, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Publix officials encourage scheduling appointments for the most efficient vaccination experience, and to ensure the preferred vaccine is available. Appointments can be made through the online reservation system at publix.com/covidvaccine, and same day appointments may be available.

How To Schedule An Appointment

When you visit the site to schedule your appointment, you will need to select Florida, and then the option to choose either Johnson & Johnson or Moderna shows up. As of Monday at 11 a.m., Publix shows the Johnson & Johnson is currently unavailable. After you choose the vaccine you wish to have, the site has you fill out your basic information and location to match you to the nearest pharmacy.

Individuals can use the online reservation system to learn if appointments are available at their nearby store. Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy.

Last week, Walmart and Sam's Club said COVID-19 vaccine immunizations are now available to customers and associates in all of their more than 5,100 pharmacy locations nationwide. This includes the 383 Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies in Florida.

Vaccines are being administered to walk-up Walmart and Sam's Club customers and through scheduled appointments, allowing customers to get vaccinated while they shop for groceries and health care essentials. Additionally, the company is rolling out new programs to both encourage people to get a vaccine and continue efforts to increase access across the country.

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 Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Individuals are not required to be a member to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Sam's Club.

Select Publix, Winn Dixie, Walmart, Sam's Club and CVS locations are offering the COVID-19 vaccine. Check each pharmacy retailer's website to learn about vaccine availability.

Costs And Insurance

Vaccinations are provided to eligible individuals, while supplies last at Publix, and at no cost to the individual. Customers with health insurance will need to bring their insurance card. Medicare members should bring their red, white and blue Medicare Part B card. Customers without health insurance will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.

For the latest information about Publix’s COVID-19 vaccination information, visit publix.com/covidvaccine.

Related:

• Walmart, Sam's Club Now Offering Walk-Up Vaccines At All Stores
• Vaccine Passports In FL? An Overwhelming Yes From Patch Readers

Florida has many sites that are providing COVID-19 vaccines, but supplies are limited and appointments may not be available at many of these sites. Vaccines are free to eligible residents.
Click here to check eligibility.

Some locations are only serving very specific populations, such as frontline health care workers.

Appointments may be required and vaccine availability will vary from day to day and week to week as we work to provide vaccines to the most vulnerable first.

You can check the state's COVID-19 locator site to make an appointment near you.

COVID-19 Local Rules Eliminated

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an order ending all local coronavirus emergency orders, but Disney World officials said the theme park will continue to mandate that park visitors wear masks and observe and other coronavirus safety protocols.

On May 3, DeSantis signed executive order 21-102 suspending all local emergency orders until July 1 when Senate Bill 2006 takes effect, which permanently invalidates all emergency orders.

While DeSantis' announcement lifts coronavirus restrictions mandated by local government, it does not preclude businesses from keeping restrictions in place.

For the time being, Disney World said that's just what it plans to do. The theme park said it will continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health and safety guidelines, which recommend the continued use of face masks despite the growing number of people who have been vaccinated.

Universal Orlando said it will continue to operate under its existing protocols, which include mandatory face masks and social distancing.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens haven't released a statement reacting to the governor's announcement. However, the theme parks' websites continue to list face masks as a requirement.