Pharmacies play growing role in COVID-19 vaccinations

As of December 26, Giant Food pharmacies in Washington, DC, began offering Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to health care employees and those in nursing homes under a contract with HHS and the local government. In Maryland, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union is urging Gov. Larry Hogan to prioritize essential grocery and meatpacking plant workers, citing a recommendation from a CDC advisory board. The union says it represents 25,500 workers in food and retail jobs nationwide. Poultry plant workers in the state’s Eastern Shore have been particularly affected by COVID-19, similar to many other meat packing plants across the country. The union also said the vaccinations need to be administered at no cost, and that plants should give workers paid time off to obtain their vaccinations. Hogan has unveiled a plan that prioritizes health care workers, first responders, and nursing facilities. The next priority group in the state includes those who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, such as older adults and individuals with certain health conditions. Essential workers may come next, followed by the general public.