What’s the difference between the federal pharmacy program and state sponsored sites?
Staff report
There are two parallel programs for receiving your Covid-19 vaccine — one run by the state and one run by the federal government through partnering pharmacies. Each receives separate allocations of vaccines to distribute and each has a separate process for making an appointment.
But both follow the same eligibility requirements set by the state.
State allocations
Eligible Vermonters can make an appointment through the state website, which includes clinics run by the Health Department, the National Guard, health care partners, Costco, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Shaws and Walmart. Visit healthvermont.gov/myvaccine or call 855-722-7878.
Federal allocations
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for Covid-19 vaccination is a collaboration between the federal government, states and territories, and 21 national pharmacy partners and independent pharmacy networks to increase access to Covid-19 vaccination across the United States. As vaccine availability increases over time, the program is expected to expand to include 40,000+ pharmacies.
In Vermont, pharmacies include Kinney Drugs, CVS and Walgreens. To make an appointment visit those pharmacy websites directly.
VaccineFinder.org
VaccineFinder.org is a free service where users can search for locations that offer vaccinations near them by zip code. It also allows users to select their desired vaccine. The site works with partners such as clinics, pharmacies and health departments to provide accurate and up-to-date information about vaccination services. VaccineFinder is operated by epidemiologists and software developers at Boston Children’s Hospital and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Digital Service.
VaccineFinder cannot tell you if you’re eligible, but all Vermonters age 30-plus are eligible as April 12 and all Vermonters 16-plus will become eligible on April 19.
Participants also cannot make an appointment through VaccineFinder. It only shows what locations have available Covid-19 vaccines. VaccineFinder will provide a link to schedule the appointment through the location’s website or with a phone number to call to make an appointment.
VaccineFinder is updated daily. For more information visit vaccinefinder.org.
What organizations are helping deliver vaccinations?
- Albertsons Companies, Inc. (including Osco, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaw’s, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, Market Street, United, Vons, Pavilions, Amigos, Lucky’s, Pak n Save, Sav-On)
- Costco Wholesale Corp.
- CPESN USA, LLC
- CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (including Long’s)
- Health Mart Pharmacies
- LeaderNET and The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Cardinal Health’s PSAOs
- Retail Business Services, LLC (including Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford Bros Co, Stop & Shop)
- Rite Aid Corp.
- Topco Associates, LLC (including Acme Fresh Markets, Associated Food Stores, Bashas, Big-Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center, Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Super One Pharmacy, FRESH by Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Coborn’s Pharmacy, Cash Wise Pharmacy, MarketPlace Pharmacy, Giant Eagle, Hartig Drug Company, King Kullen, Food City Pharmacy, Ingles Pharmacy, Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Pharmacies, Save Mart Pharmacies, Lucky Pharmacies, SpartanNash, Price Chopper, Market 32, Tops Friendly Markets, ShopRite, Wegmans, Weis Markets, Inc.)
- Walgreens (including Duane Read)
- Walmart, Inc. (including Sam’s Club)
