Drugstores Can’t Wait for Scheduling Covid Shots to Get Simpler
- Ordeal of finding an appointment compared to ‘Hunger Games’
- Vaccine sales could help plug holes left by mild flu season
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While millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses are available, it could be months until anyone can just walk into their local pharmacy for a dose, a frustrating situation for big chains like Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and CVS Health Corp., as well as their customers.
People still need to make appointments online or over the phone to get vaccinated at drugstores, a policy designed to prevent crowds from forming and help pharmacists manage scarce supplies. The system isn’t working optimally and is unlikely to change anytime soon, said Rina Shah, Walgreens vice president of pharmacy operations.