COVID-19 vaccines have been tougher to get in some states, leaving many residents quite eager for the day when they can receive them at retail stores. CVS is administering novel coronavirus vaccines at many of its locations. If you’re interested, here are the details on how you can go about signing up for and receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS near you, if they are available.
Here Are the States Where CVS Is Administering Vaccines
CVS Pharmacies started administering the vaccine in multiple states on February 11, but some states had vaccines available even earlier than that at select CVS locations. Vaccines are being administered at retail locations according to state priority guidelines.
To find out about vaccine eligibility near you, visit CVS’ website here and scroll down to the map that shows vaccine availability. Next to the map is a list of states currently offering vaccinations. If your state is on that list, click on your state. You’ll then see details on who is eligible for CVS vaccinations, which cities are offering them, and whether the status is fully booked or not. Then click on “schedule an appointment now” if appointments are available. You’ll take a screener and then continue from there.
The states where CVS is currently offering vaccinations, as of February 25, include:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Virginia
More states may be added to this list, so check the CVS website frequently for updates.
CVS noted just before February 11 that it would begin vaccinations in a number of states and shared how many doses would be available in each state. This has increased since then. On February 24, CVS announced that it was making even more doses available in more states.
How to Register for a Vaccine at CVS
You can register for a CVS vaccine here. The direct vaccine scheduler page is here, but you’ll need to go through the COVID-19 webpage first to find out if there’s availability in your city. You can also register through the CVS Pharmacy app. Registration will be available for both the first and second dose, but will only be available according to your state’s priority guidelines. (If you don’t have online access, you can call 1-800-746-7287 to secure an appointment.)
CVS’ Vaccine Scheduler will first take you through a screener and then ask if you are needing a first or second dose. You’ll then be asked to select a location where you’d like to be vaccinated. After choosing your state, you’ll be asked your age and if you’re in a priority group, and then you’ll be asked to share which priority group you are in.
If you aren’t in a priority group, you’ll get the following message depending on your state: “You don’t qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine at this time. This may be due to you having a lower level of exposure, or vulnerability, to the coronavirus. You may become eligible later once the vaccine is available to a larger segment of the population.”
If you’re in a priority group, you’ll be moved forward to where you can schedule and asked to enter your ZIP code to find a location near you. If you don’t see an opportunity to book an appointment, this is likely because of limited supply. There may simply not be vaccine doses available at the CVS stores near you at this time, but that can change. You’ll have to check back later, because CVS does not offer a waiting list.
CVS has noted that the vaccine is only available by appointment and there are no walk-ins available.
Karen S. Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer, CVS Health, said in a statement about the vaccination effort: “Our presence in communities across the country makes us an ideal partner for administering vaccines in a safe, convenient, and familiar manner. This is particularly true for underserved communities, which have been a focus for us throughout the pandemic.”
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