Meijer plans round of COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Michigan

Meijer is kicking off a series of COVID-19 vaccination clinics at stores across Michigan and expects to administer up to 25,000 doses by the end of this week.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer said Monday that it will provide the coronavirus inoculations to Michigan residents ages 65 and older who have signed up through its online vaccine registration process at clinic.meijer.com.

In recent weeks, Meijer has held COVID vaccine clinics in counties throughout the state, noting that it has administered up to 1,200 vaccines in a day at some stores. The supercenter retailer said it has provided more than 20,000 doses in Michigan and over 30,000 doses overall — mainly to seniors — since its first clinic on Jan. 15.

“We are very proud of the role our stores and pharmacies continue to play in this massive effort to vaccinate people against COVID-19,” Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes said in a statement. “As a pharmacy partner to both the state of Michigan and the federal government, we have been able to receive vaccines and quickly administer doses to thousands of people in our communities, usually within 72 hours.”

The clinics are being held via partnerships with Michigan counties and cities and will administer vaccine doses received from the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccinations are offered by appointment only, and eligible individuals can register by texting “COVID” to 75049, visiting their local Meijer pharmacy or accessing the online scheduling tool. After getting the first shot, patients will automatically be invited to another clinic to receive the second dose.

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Given the limited supply of vaccines, Meijer noted that it’s not releasing clinic locations; registered customers will be contacted directly with a time and location when an appointment window becomes available. The company added that it aims to offer the vaccine to all eligible Michigan residents, based on CDC guidelines, in the coming weeks and months.

“I’m extremely proud of the amazing work our store and pharmacy teams have done to create a quick and efficient process for our vaccine clinics,” commented Jason Beauch, vice president of pharmacy at Meijer. “The importance of these clinics is not lost on our team members and patients. It’s a very emotional experience for everyone involved.”

Overall, Meijer operates 256 supercenters and grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.