Publix Pharmacy Implements Florida COVID‑19 Vaccination Eligibility Expansion for Upcoming Appointments

LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starting with the Friday, March 12, scheduling opportunity, eligible individuals, now including individuals ages 60 and older, may use Publix’s online reservation system to make appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations at participating Florida in-store Publix Pharmacy locations. However, at the direction of the federal government, retail pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program must continue to prioritize K-12 and child care teachers and personnel for future vaccination opportunities until further notice.

The prioritized group includes teachers, school staff and child care workers who work in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.

After those in the prioritized group are finished making appointments, any remaining appointments will be available to other eligible individuals. Appointments to receive second doses are not impacted by this change.

Eligibility

In accordance with state and federal requirements, the following groups are currently eligible to schedule vaccinations: all K‑12 and child care teachers and personnel (the prioritized group referenced earlier); individuals ages 60 and older (the newly expanded group); adults who are determined to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by a physician (must provide documentation signed by a physician certifying they meet the eligibility criteria); health care professionals with direct patient contact and residents or staff members of long-term care facilities; and individuals ages 50 and older who are firefighters or sworn law enforcement officers.

Appointments

Vaccinations are provided by appointment only, while supplies last, through the online reservation system at publix.com/covidvaccine. Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy.

The online reservation system will open Friday, March 12, at 7 a.m. Eastern time for any individual who meets state and federal requirements, with priority given to school and child care teachers and personnel as directed by the federal government.

Eligible individuals can plan to access the online reservation system to make appointments as follows, as long as Publix continues to receive vaccine doses and barring unforeseen circumstances. Appointments may not be available in every county during every scheduling opportunity:

Scheduling opportunity	Appointment days	Vaccine provided
Monday	Wednesday ­– Friday	Moderna
Wednesday	Saturday – Sunday	Johnson & Johnson
Friday	Monday – Tuesday	Moderna

Customers with appointments for their second dose of the Moderna vaccine are not impacted by any variations in scheduling opportunities and should arrive at the COVID-19 vaccine check-in area at their scheduled date and time.

Required documentation

Adults who are only eligible based on the state’s criteria of being extremely vulnerable to COVID‑19 are required to provide either the completed, signed form found on the Florida Department of Health website or documentation signed by a physician certifying they meet the eligibility criteria.

Locations

Publix administers vaccine in all 43 Florida counties with Publix Pharmacy locations. Publix pharmacies have also administered the COVID‑19 vaccine to eligible individuals in select Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia locations. The company continues to communicate with the states in its operating area to provide COVID‑19 vaccinations as part of their distribution efforts.

Costs and insurance

Vaccinations are provided to eligible individuals, by appointment only, while supplies last, and at no cost to the individual. Customers with health insurance will need to bring their insurance card to their scheduled appointment. Medicare members should bring their red, white and blue Medicare Part B card. Customers without health insurance will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.

The most up-to-date information about Publix’s COVID‑19 vaccination efforts can be found at publix.com/covidvaccine.

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 225,000 associates, currently operates 1,268 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 23 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.