COVID-19 Vaccination Hours To Expand At Nearly 150 VA Pharmacies

VIRGINIA — On the same day Virginia became the 16th state to meet President Joe Biden's goal of 70 percent of adults having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by July 4, a newly announced initiative will grow that number even more.

Five pharmacy partners of the Virginia Department of Health will be expanding their hours on certain days through July 4, according to a VDH release. The effort is part of National Vaccine Month, a White House led initiative in collaboration with businesses, national organizations, and community-based partners.

More than 147 partner locations, including Albertsons, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and independent pharmacies, will be expanding their hours of vaccination by approximately 2,235 hours through July 4. The expanded hours, especially on Friday evenings, will make it easier for Virginians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

While the nation as a whole is not expected to meet Biden's goal, Virginia will easily surpass it. As of Monday, more than 8.8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in Virginia and more than 4.2 million people, or 60.3 percent of the population 18 and older, are fully vaccinated.

“Pharmacies have been critical to helping us vaccinate our community,” said Dr. Stephanie Wheawhill, director of the Division of Pharmacy Services, in a release. “They are Virginia’s trusted messengers who assist people in making informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccinations.”

Virginians 12 and older who have not been vaccinated yet are encouraged to go to vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1) to find a nearby vaccination clinic. For answers to frequently asked questions or to learn more about vaccination for COVID-19 in Virginia, visit vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine.

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