Target Corp. is making about a third of its stores COVID-19 vaccination destinations through its partnership with CVS Pharmacy.
Target said Wednesday that more than 600 of its 1,700-plus stores with CVS Pharmacy departments have begun administering coronavirus shots in 17 states. Eligible customers and employees can schedule appointments at CVS.com to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS Pharmacy at Target location, based on availability. Those getting a shot will be able to schedule their first and second doses (the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two inoculations).
The COVID immunization rollout “marks the first significant number of vaccinations” that CVS is providing to Target customers, according to Target.
“With COVID-19 vaccines becoming more widely available, Target is continuing to support our team and communities during the pandemic by partnering with 600-plus CVS locations within Target stores to offer vaccines to eligible guests and team members,” Target stated. “Target already supports CVS-administered vaccinations each year for the flu, shingles and pneumonia, and we’ll continue to partner closely as they administer the [coronavirus] vaccine while following state and federal guidelines. We’re also making fitting rooms available to CVS at select stores to host appointments.”
Target added that it will continue to work with CVS to provide vaccines to shoppers and associates. The Minneapolis-based discount store chain said it also will support public vaccine education initiatives, such as the newly launched Health Action Alliance and the new campaign by the Ad Council, which focuses on “reaching communities of color hit particularly hard during the pandemic.”
To encourage employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Target has provided incentives. In February, the company said hourly frontline employees receiving coronavirus shots will receive up to four hours of pay (two hours for each dose) and can get free Lyft rides to and from their vaccine appointments, covering up to $15 each way. Target’s Shipt same-day delivery subsidiary also launched the Vaccine Payment Program, which allows its personal shoppers to apply for up to $50 in stipends for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
In October, Birmingham, Ala.-based Shipt also began offering all of its active personal shoppers free flu shots via CVS Pharmacy locations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that Americans get vaccinated for flu to avoid becoming at increased risk for coronavirus and to help ease the burden on already overstretched hospital staff.
Overall, Target operates 1,897 stores across all 50 states. Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS Health acquired Target’s pharmacy and in-store clinic business in 2015, rebranding them as CVS Pharmacy locations.
