JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida-based grocer Publix has announced that starting Monday, its pharmacies in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia will begin accepting walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The chain’s pharmacies in Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee already accept both walk-ins and scheduled appointments.
Publix Pharmacy now administers both the two-shot Moderna and single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines, subject to availability. There are designated booking opportunities throughout the week specific to each vaccine.
Click here and select your state to learn about upcoming appointment availability.
The Moderna and J&J vaccines are currently only available to those 18 and up.
Vaccinations are provided to individuals ages 18 and older by appointment only, while supplies last, through the online reservation system at publix.com/covidvaccine. Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy. Individuals can use the online reservation system to learn if appointments are available at their nearby store.
Publix’s announcement comes as the federally-supported vaccination site at Gateway Mall in Jacksonville -- which stopped administering first doses of the two-shot Pfizer vaccine last week -- is scheduled to close May 25.
Across the country, major vaccination sites are closing due to the drop in demand.
Researchers say what hasn’t slowed down are variant transmissions. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, state health officials report more than 10,000 cases of COVID-19 variants, and those variants in the state led to 67 deaths and 243 hospitalizations. The Sun-Sentinel also reports Florida is home to the most variant COVID-19 cases in the country.
While variants spread, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer people are getting vaccinated.
A hotline has been set up by the Biden administration to help people find vaccines in their area. Call 1-800-232-0233 to talk with a representative.