The error violated Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Seniors First vaccination plan, but Walmart says it will honor agreements made during the window when expanded access was available.
Earlier this week, Florida said vaccines would be available at 119 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the state. And Walmart’s scheduling website allowed Florida residents who are considered extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 by hospital providers to register.
However, DeSantis said last month that the state would prioritize those 65 and older, along with residents of long-term care facilities and staff and medical personnel with direct contact with the patient for the vaccine.
He said only hospital providers could vaccinate people who they think are extremely vulnerable to Covid-19.
But despite the confusion, Walmart says it will deliver on agreements.
“Walmart is working to align our planning system with the specific populations that the state has asked us to vaccinate under the federal pharmacy partnership. stated in the Executive Order, ”the Walmart spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said the retailer did not know how many people signed up for the vaccine, but promised to honor everyone who did.
CNN has also reached out to DeSantis’ office for comment.
The Biden government announced last week that the federal government would begin shipping coronavirus vaccines directly to pharmacies, with a total of one million doses going to approximately 6,500 stores as part of the program. These doses are separate from the allocations the federal government sends to each state, although they are still subject to each state’s eligibility guidelines.
The National Association of Drug Stores says the goal of delivering 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine in 30 days is realistic, but pharmacies will need sufficient doses to do so.
“Ultimately, NACDS member pharmacies can meet and exceed the threshold of 100 million vaccinations per month, but it is important to understand that the supply of vaccines remains the rate-limiting factor in the vaccination effort,” said Steven Anderson, president and CEO of NACDS.