NCPA has heard from members around the country that CVS and Walgreens, the two national chains under contract with the CDC to administer COVID-19 vaccine in long-term care facilities, have been quietly reaching out to independent pharmacists for help. The two pharmacy chains are reaching out via email and door-to-door solicitations, trying to find independent pharmacists willing to help with what appears to be an acute staffing shortage for administering the vaccine in LTC facilities. In a Bloomberg piece published on Tuesday, NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey says the outreach suggests the chains don’t have enough people to run the massive effort. A spokesperson for CVS pushed back on the idea they have a staffing deficiency but pharmacists have copies of online posts, flyers and other solicitations.
NCPA will continue to monitor the situation and report on new developments.
