CHARLESTON, W.Va. — COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at Walmart stores across West Virginia this week.
Jim Hoyer, Joint Interagency Task Force director, said in a recent appearance on MetroNews ‘Talkline’ that West Virginia will join 45 other states and jurisdictions in nearly 3,000 locations in Walmart’s vaccination efforts.
West Virginia has 44 total Walmart retail units including 38 supercenters. Hoyer said this move allows more West Virginians to get a chance at a vaccine as community efforts continue.
“Certain percentages of a population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart across the country. That’s probably true in West Virginia too. That’s another great opening,” Hoyer said.
As the state begins to phase out its EverBridge online registration system, Hoyer recommended West Virginians of all ages to get a hold of pharmacies such as Walgreens, Fruth and now Walmart to see if they have appointments available for a shot.
Gov. Jim Justice opened up vaccine eligibility to all West Virginians ages 16 and older on March 22. Hoyer said the state has not taken its eye off those 65 and older, where nearly 400,000 doses have been administered, but is open to vaccinating those 30 years of age and younger because of the variant spread.
759,993 total doses have been administered in the state as of Friday. West Virginia has a 91.6% of total doses administered of doses received.
Hoyer expects there is to be more willing to receive the vaccine if people go to pharmacists they trust, like at a Walmart.
“If those people go to a local Walmart and they trust their Walmart pharmacists and they are a little hesitant about vaccines, then they will be a little more inclined to take it,” Hoyer said.
The director pointed out that people should continue to call local pharmacies but also use vaccinefinder.org, ran by developers at Boston Children’s Hospital, to find where doses may be available in your area.