Senator Perdue Applauds CVS & Walgreens Partnership to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine to Vulnerable Communities

Staff Report

Monday, October 26th, 2020

As part of Operation Warp Speed, CVS and Walgreens have agreed to provide and administer COVID-19 vaccines, once available, to residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) nationwide with no out-of-pocket costs.

“With critical funding from the CARES Act, the United States is working at record speed to develop effective treatments and vaccines for COVID-19,” said Senator David Perdue. “Ensuring easy access to these vaccines, once available, will help save lives and eventually get us back to normal. This powerful new partnership with CVS and Walgreens will leverage private sector expertise to administer vaccines to our most vulnerable Georgians as quickly as possible.” 

“Protecting the vulnerable has been the number one priority of the Trump Administration’s response to COVID-19, and that commitment will continue through distributing a safe and effective vaccine earliest to those who need it most,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Our unprecedented public-private partnership with CVS and Walgreens will provide convenient and free vaccination to residents of nursing homes across America, another historic achievement in our efforts to get a safe and effective vaccine to Americans as fast as possible.”

“Today’s historic pharmacy partnership will truly help jurisdictions solve a logistical hurdle and decrease the burden of distributing, administering, and reporting COVID-19 vaccination for both states and long-term care facilities,” said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield. “CDC is proud to be a part of this public-private partnership that is advancing care for the Nation’s most vulnerable.” 

The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program is:

  • Free of charge to facilities.

  • Available for residents in all long-term care settings, including skilled nursing facilities (SNF), nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care homes, and adult family homes.

  • Available to all remaining LTCF staff members who have not been previously vaccinated for COVID-19 (e.g., through satellite, temporary, or off-site clinics).

  • Available in most rural areas that may not have an easily accessible pharmacy.

Over 45,000 Georgians currently reside in long-term care facilities. This program will include continued coordination with local jurisdictions, public health departments, and federal partners such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

Click here for additional information.