CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) said Wednesday that it’s on track to complete the first round of COVID-19 vaccine shots at nursing homes across the country by Jan. 25.
The federal government partnered with CVS and Walgreens (NASDAQ:WBA) to administer the shots to residents and staff in long-term care facilities across the country. CVS said it’s on target to meet its original goal set for the nursing homes it’s already partnered with.
CVS said it’s now administering shots to nursing home residents and staff in 49 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to nursing homes, the company will also vaccinate residents and staff in assisted living facilities, with nearly 31,000 such facilities partnering with CVS, according to the company.
“We’re dealing with a vulnerable population that requires onsite and, in some cases, in-room visits at facilities with fewer than 100 residents on average,” Larry Merlo, CEO of CVS Health, said.
“Despite these challenges we remain on schedule, and the number of vaccines we administer will continue to rise as more facilities are activated by the states.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources has also tapped CVS and other retail pharmacies to eventually offer vaccinations at sites across the country when the broader rollout begins. CVS said Wednesday that it’s in talks with several states “to make a limited number of doses available in the coming weeks in advance of the broader rollout.”
CVS shares gained $1.14, or 1.6%, to $71.60.