Posted: Dec 22, 2020 / 4:24 pm EST
Updated: December 22, 2020 / 6:24 PM EST
The following information was provided by Kroger
CINCINNATI Kroger Health, the health division of The Kroger Co., announced Tuesday that it will be making the COVID-19 vaccine available at its 2,200 pharmacies and 220 clinics nationwide in collaboration with the federal government and state health departments to prepare the vaccine according to the Plan to administer rollout.
“Kroger Health is a COVID-19 response leader who has provided diagnostic testing tools and supportive resources to our patients, employees and other businesses since this public health crisis began,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. “Kroger Health’s experienced healthcare providers continue to be committed to enabling healthier lives for our patients and employees. The size and scope of our healthcare operations gives us a unique opportunity to efficiently simplify COVID-19 testing and immunize a large portion of the US population once the approved vaccines become more widely available. “
Over the past few months, Kroger Health has worked closely with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense, as well as pharmaceutical companies and other companies, to prepare for vaccine approval. After the US Food and Drug Administration approves two vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, Kroger Health will support the phased approach, initially focusing on priority populations as defined by the federal and state governments. For example, this week Kroger Health, in partnership with the state of Alaska, will begin delivering the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to health care workers in Anchorage and Juneau. Kroger Health is also involved in vaccination efforts for prioritized populations in several other regions.
Kroger continues to work on behalf of employees to ensure that key workers have priority access to the vaccine, in line with the organization’s efforts earlier this year to provide employees with easier access to personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves.
“As one of the most accessible healthcare partners in the United States, Kroger Health is ready and willing to play an active role in promoting the vaccine in collaboration with public health officials and community partners,” said Dr. Marc Watkins, Kroger Health’s chief physician.
“Our top priority during this pandemic has been to protect our employees and patients and create a safe environment while fulfilling our social obligation to provide open stores, e-commerce solutions and an efficient supply chain so that our communities have access to fresh food Products have affordable groceries, staples and health care.
“We strongly encourage all customers and employees to receive the vaccine to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, and we will do everything we can to ensure they have access as soon as it becomes available.”
Kroger Health is hiring nearly 1,000 healthcare workers, including pharmacy technicians, to help operate and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine. Kroger Health is also committed to training current employees. Visit Jobs.Kroger.com to view opportunities and apply.
Kroger Health has performed more than 250,000 COVID-19 tests since April and launched rapid antibody tests in October to let patients know if they were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and thus expanding the organization’s existing portfolio of clinical and domestic COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Kroger Health continues to give the seasonal flu vaccine. To make an appointment, visit Kroger.com.
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