Thursday, Publix announced that Floridians 40 years or older, can use Publix’s online reservation system to make appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations at participating Florida in-store Publix Pharmacy locations. Appointments will be available as of 7 a.m. Friday.
In the press release, Publix said appointments reserved on Friday would be for the following Monday, March 29.
They can use Publix’s online reservation system to make appointments for vaccinations at Florida stores with in-store pharmacies that are participating in the vaccination program, the retailer said in a news release. That does not apply in stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, according to the online registration system.
Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy.
Publix said it would follow the federal directive to prioritize vaccinations for teachers, school staff, child care workers in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers), and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.
After those in the prioritized group are finished making appointments, Publix said, remaining appointments will be available to other eligible individuals.
Appointments to receive second doses are not impacted by this change.
It’s likely most pharmacies and health-care districts will take the same approach, but none had announced their plans Thursday afternoon. In Florida, vaccines also are offered at retailers Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Winn-Dixie as well as state and federally supported sites.
Publix said in the release that those eligible can reserve a time for a Monday or Tuesday appointment for the Moderna vaccine on Friday. Those who make their reservations on Monday can schedule their appointment to receive the Moderna vaccine on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Those who want the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should reserve an appointment on Wednesday for Saturday and Sunday, the release said.
Adults who are eligible for a vaccine because they’re extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 are required to bring a signed and completed form from the state’s Department of Health website or documentation signed by their physician, Publix said.
Every Florida resident age 18 and older will be eligible to receive a COVID vaccine on April 5, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Publix administers vaccines in 43 counties that have in-store pharmacies in Florida.
