Walmart And Winn-Dixie Will Offer COVID-19 Vaccines In Florida

FLORIDA — Floridians will soon have other retail stores outside the 325 Publix pharmacies to receive the COVID-19 vaccines from, according to the Biden administration.

The first phase of the federal pharmacy program will begin in about eight days at select pharmacies across the state of Florida.

The White House COVID-19 Response Team said on Twitter, "Beginning February 11, the federal government will deliver vaccines directly to select pharmacies across the country to provide more sites for people to get vaccinated in their communities—one important component of our commitment to delivering vaccines equitably."

Those select pharmacies in Florida include Walmart and Winn-Dixie, according to WFTV 9.

CVS and Walgreens were not included because they are busy assisting with vaccinations at Florida's long-term care facilities, Jared Moskowitz, director of Florida Division of Emergency Management told the outlet. He also mentioned that at some point in time when there are more doses, the state will turn to more pharmacies.

The Florida city/towns of the Walmart and Winn-Dixie locations that will be the first to give the COVID-19 vaccine shots has not been released. In addition to these pharmacies, other places administering the vaccines to those 65 years of age and older are local health departments.

Positive coronavirus cases in Florida are increasing right along with the increase in vaccine locations. In 24 hours, cases have grown by 6,979 making Florida's total number since the start of the pandemic 1,744,619 cases, according to the Florida Health Department. The total number of hospitalizations is 73,266; and 27,472 coronavirus-related deaths.

In a Wednesday press briefing, the White House COVID-19 Response Team said 1.3 million shots have been averaged per day across the nation for the period of Jan. 27 through Feb. 2. They are on track to meet President Joe Biden's goal of 100 million shots in 100 days.