WMT Walmart Inc

By Michael Dabaie

Walmart said it is creating a series of community events to administer the Covid-19 vaccine across the U.S.

The retailer said it is seeking to drive higher vaccination rates in vulnerable communities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing Walmart with allocation of the vaccine for this effort, which Walmart is launching in partnership with local community leaders and nonprofit organizations.

The community vaccine events will take place at 43 locations across 18 states, including drive-thru locations in Walmart parking lots, in-store and across several offsite locations in partnership with community organizations.

Walmart said it selected many of the new locations after an analysis of area demographics, local health needs and gaps in critical access to medical services.

These new events mark an expansion of Walmart's role with the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and are supplementing Walmart's ongoing vaccination program at more than 1,400 pharmacies in 35 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., through federal and state efforts.

Write to Michael Dabaie at michael.dabaie@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 25, 2021 11:29 ET (16:29 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.