CVS’ Larry Merlo waiting for the call to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Pfizer vaccine approval is expected on or around December 11th

As soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is approved to be distributed, three pharmacy companies are set to begin. Rhode Island’s CVS says they could implement their existing flu-shot systems within 48 hours of receipt of the vaccine. Larry Merlo, CEO at Rhode Island based CVS gave details in a Sunday morning interview on CBS News.

CVS joins Walgreens and Duane Reade as the three “pharmacy” companies to participate. Hospitals and health care clinics and groups will also take a lead.

CVS will focus on long term care facilities, with 25,000 already signed up, choosing CVS to administer their vaccines to their people. CVS has an existing system set up to manage flu innoculations at facilities.

An Operation Warp Speed partner, CVS has done over 7 million COVID-19 tests throughout the United States.

When asked about underserved populations, when it comes to the general public phase of testing and vaccines, Merlo mentioned that over 70% of Americans live within three miles of a CVS, positioning them to effectively serve almost everyone. For areas without a CVS conveniently located, CVS has a system of kiosks, or mobile trailers, that they take into underserved or geographically remote areas.

Here is the CBS interview with Larry Merlo:

For the general public

While CVS will focus on the first priority, expected to be seniors, those in congregate housing, and those most at risk, on Thursday, November 12th it addressed doing vaccinations for the general public, in this statement:

“Today it was announced that CVS Health will join others in offering Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized COVID-19 vaccinations when available to the general public.

“CVS Health is prepared to play a prominent role in administering COVID-19 vaccinations to the general public, which builds on our previously announced agreement to administer vaccines in long-term care facilities,” said Troyen Brennan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, CVS Health. “Our extensive experience safely and efficiently providing vaccinations is unmatched, and this year alone we’ll provide flu vaccines to nearly 20 million Americans across the country.

“With approximately 70 percent of the U.S. population living within three miles of a CVS Pharmacy, we’ll be easy to reach when a vaccine is authorized by the FDA and becomes available in retail settings. Our pharmacists, nurse practitioners and pharmacy technicians have been an invaluable community resource since the pandemic began and are ready to play a critical role in the vaccination effort.”