Some U.S. pharmacies to begin getting direct shipments of coronavirus vaccine

White House officials announced Tuesday that thousands of pharmacies across the country will begin receiving direct shipments of coronavirus vaccine on February 11. The move is the first step of a plan aimed at simplifying the ability to get vaccinations, particularly for individuals in areas where residents have disproportionately been affected by severe illness and death from COVID-19. According to Jeff Zients, coordinator of the White House's COVID-19 response, the 1 million doses being sent to pharmacies starting next week are in addition to a modest increase in vaccine allocations to states that begins this week. Zients also said the government will reimburse states retroactively for emergency costs associated with dealing with the public health crisis, including the purchase of masks and gloves. "We are doing everything we can to effectively vaccinate individuals across the country," Zients said during a briefing Tuesday. The vaccine doses being sent directly to community pharmacies, he said, will start with a group of 6,500 stores. However, if that approach is successful, the number could increase to possibly 40,000 chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies, and supermarkets with pharmacies inside. Zients also noted that, beginning this week, states will receive 5% more vaccine doses, on top of a previously announced increase of 16%, for a total of 10.5 million doses a week.