Under a plan from the Biden administration, some 400 million N95 masks are being sent to pharmacies around the country to be distributed free.
Many of those pharmacies have already received the masks and are either distributing the masks or getting ready to distribute them. Customers are limited to three masks per person and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here is what we know about which pharmacies are getting the masks and when they will begin to hand them out.
What pharmacies will offer free N95 masks?
Retail pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program vary by state and territory, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, which also lists a state-by-state breakdown.
Here is the national list.
· Albertsons Companies Inc. (including Osco, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaw’s, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, Market Street, United, Vons, Pavilions, Amigos, Lucky’s, PAK’nSAVE and Sav-On)
· Costco Wholesale Corporation.
· CPESN USA LLC
· CVS Pharmacy Inc. (including Long’s)
· GeriMed (long-term care and retail pharmacies)
· Good Neighbor Pharmacy and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation’s pharmacy services administrative organization (PSAO), Elevate Provider Network
· Health Mart Pharmacies
· H-E-B, LP
· Hy-Vee Inc.
· Innovatix (long-term care pharmacies)
· Kroger Co. (including Kroger, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Ralphs, King Soopers, Smiths, City Market, Dillons, Mariano’s, Pick-n-Save, Copps, Metro Market, QFC)
· LeaderNET and The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Cardinal Health’s PSAOs
· Managed Health Care Associates (retail and long-term care pharmacies)
· Meijer Inc.
· Publix Super Markets Inc.
· Retail Business Services LLC (including Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford Bros Co, Stop & Shop)
· Rite Aid Corp.
· Southeastern Grocers (Winn-Dixie, Harveys, Fresco Y Mas)
· Topco Associates, LLC (including Acme Fresh Markets, Associated Food Stores, Bashas, Big-Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center, Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Super One Pharmacy, FRESH by Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Coborn’s Pharmacy, Cash Wise Pharmacy, MarketPlace Pharmacy, Giant Eagle, Hartig Drug Company, King Kullen, Food City Pharmacy, Ingles Pharmacy, Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Pharmacies, Save Mart Pharmacies, Lucky Pharmacies, SpartanNash, Price Chopper, Market 32, Tops Friendly Markets, ShopRite, Wegmans, and Weis Markets Inc.)
· Walgreens (including Duane Reade)
· Walmart Inc. (including Sam’s Club)
Health care centers will also distribute free masks
According to the Health Resources & Services Administration, masks will initially be distributed at some 200 health care facilities. More centers will be added in the coming weeks, the HRSA said.
The organization’s website says: “The HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program is beginning incrementally at select HRSA-supported health centers. The goal is to ensure that our nation’s underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 have equitable access to public health tools needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
When will masks be in stores?
Pharmacies are still finalizing plans to distribute masks. Here are what a few of the retailers are planning.
· CVS — Masks are in some stores and CVS began distribution of masks in those stores on Thursday.
· Hy-Vee — The company is distributing its first shipments now.
· Rite Aid — The chain says it will have masks available in some stores by Friday and all stores by early February.
· Walgreens Walgreens plans to begin giving out masks on Friday at many locations.
· Walmart and Sam’s Club — Masks are expected to be available by the second week of February at Walmart and Sam’s, according to a statement to USA Today.
· Winn-Dixie, Southeastern Grocers — Masks will be handed out beginning Friday.
©2022 Cox Media Group
