CVS Well being Chief Govt Larry Merlo mentioned the corporate is able to administer "vaccines into the arms of a few of our most susceptible popula
CVS Well being Chief Govt Larry Merlo mentioned the corporate is able to administer “vaccines into the arms of a few of our most susceptible populations” inside 24 to 48 hours upon receiving its share of Covid-19 vaccines.
“We’re able to go. We’re in nice form and as I discussed, individuals are excited to be an necessary a part of this resolution,” Merlo mentioned Thursday in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Field.”
Merlo mentioned the corporate has 10,000 well being care professionals able to administer the pictures in nursing houses and assisted residing facilities. He mentioned the corporate “has been hiring people since this pandemic started” to assist with Covid-19 testing. And, he added, it has expertise giving seasonal flu pictures at long-tern care amenities.
The federal government struck a deal in October with CVS and Walgreens to manage the coronavirus vaccinations to residents and employees at long-term care amenities throughout the nation. The vaccines can be free and can be given at on-site clinics at every location, in response to the Division of Well being and Human Companies.
As a part of the huge effort, CVS and Walgreens have had to verify they’ve sufficient employees to fan out to the facilities and pace up the method.
Merlo mentioned the corporate has turned to pharmacy colleges to seek out and recruit pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns. He mentioned it is also employed health-care professionals who’re retired, however nonetheless have their licenses and are keen to work part-time.
He mentioned all CVS pharmacies have already got fridges and freezers that may retailer 5 of the six vaccine candidates on the correct temperature. He mentioned solely one of many six vaccine candidates — the one from Pfizer — would require a particular sort of storage.
The Pfizer vaccine can be distributed in particular thermal shippers that may assist give it a life cycle of 15 days, Merlo mentioned. It might probably then be saved an extra 5 days within the drugstore’s typical cooling tools that may freeze or refrigerate, he mentioned.