LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ralphs, a
division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), has announced that it has
obtained a supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and has begun
administering vaccinations to its pharmacists and ancillary
pharmacy staff as well as other health care providers at its 50
pharmacies in Los Angeles and
Riverside Counties. There is no
cost for the vaccinations.
Additionally, Ralphs Pharmacy locations in San Diego, Santa
Barbara and Ventura
Counties and City of Long Beach
will receive the COVID-19 vaccine the week of January 11.
The vaccinations are currently only available for those eligible
as part of the first tiers of Phase 1A of county public health
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Phases. Individuals will need to
complete a disclosure form declaring they are eligible for the
Phase 1A distribution.
"Our most urgent priority throughout this pandemic has been to
provide a safe environment for our associates and customers while
meeting our societal obligation to provide open stores and access
to fresh, affordable food," said Dr. Linh
Lee, Director of Pharmacy/Health & Wellness at Ralphs.
"We are pleased that through our advocacy efforts our frontline
associates have been moved to Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution."
Ralphs will follow guidance from local health departments on the
vaccine distribution plan for the general public.
With 50 pharmacies throughout Los
Angeles and Riverside
Counties, Ralphs' presence in local communities provides the unique
ability to efficiently administer the vaccine. The vaccine will
roll out to the all 77 Ralphs Pharmacies throughout Southern California and the Central Coast as
soon it becomes available through local health departments.
"We are confident in the safety of the vaccine based on the
thorough clinical trials and assurances from the Food & Drug
Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,"
continued Dr. Lee. "Additionally, Ralphs pharmacists will provide
monitoring for 15-30 minutes after the vaccination is administered
for any potential immediate reaction that could occur."
Throughout the pandemic, Ralphs has remained an industry leader
in offering at-home and free drive-through COVID-19 testing
solutions. Supported by its team of experienced healthcare
providers, Ralphs has assisted Kroger in conducting over 250,000
COVID-19 tests nationally since April. Kroger also continues to
offer free COVID-19 testing to all Ralphs' frontline
associates.
More recently, Ralphs and The Kroger Co. became the nation's
first retailer to offer rapid antibody tests to customers for just
$25. Rapid antibody testing helps
inform patients if they previously have been infected with
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and results are
typically ready in around 15 minutes.
Customers can learn more about rapid antibody testing at Ralphs
and schedule an appointment here.
About Ralphs
At Ralphs, a company of The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our
Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We are 20,000 associates in 188
stores who serve customers daily through a seamless shopping
experience throughout Southern
California and the Central Coast. We are committed to
creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more
about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
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SOURCE Ralphs Grocery Company