BOSTON — The Biden administration is ramping up COVID-19 vaccine distribution and starting next week, doses will be shipped directly to retail pharmacies across the country.
CVS stores in 11 different states including Massachusetts will be offering the COVID shot to people who are eligible beginning Feb. 11. And Walgreens stores in New Hampshire will also offer the shot, starting Feb. 12, as part of the federal pharmacy partnership.
Boston 25 News has learned there are at least 15 CVS locations in the state that will have the vaccines next week. They include Boston, Braintree, Cambridge, Chelsea, Weymouth, Watertown, Sudbury, Hudson, Worcester, Medfield, Randolph, Seekonk, North Grafton, Palmer and Holyoke. CVS said in a statement that more locations will be added as additional vaccine supply becomes available.
Read more: The latest vaccine news
The federal government will be sending the vaccines directly to CVS and Walgreens starting next week. Due to a limited supply, the program will start with 6,500 pharmacies and eventually expand to 40,000 nationwide. CVS says it is initially getting 250,000 doses from the federal government. As more supply becomes available, CVS will expand its vaccination effort to other states.
People who are eligible under the state’s vaccination rollout plan can book an appointment at CVS.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app. Those without access to the internet can call 800-746-7287 to book. CVS said all vaccinations will require an appointment and new appointments will become available to schedule as they receive the vaccines.
Walgreens appointments can be booked at Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine; no walk-in appointments will be available.
The federal government is buying an additional 100 million doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The goal is to provide enough doses for 300 million Americans by the end of the summer or early fall.
[ White House announces more COVID-19 vaccines to be sent to pharmacies next week ]
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