On October 16, HHS and DOD announced public-private partnerships with Walgreens and CVS to administer COVID-19 vaccines at no out-of-pocket costs to residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF’s). The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program (Partnership Program) plans to administer the vaccines to (1) “residents in all long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities (SNF), nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care homes, and adult family homes” and (2) any LTCF staff members who had not already received a COVID-19 vaccine. Because supplies of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be limited, LTCF residents may be among the prioritized groups to first obtain a COVID-19 vaccine.
CVS and Walgreens will coordinate approximately three on-site clinic dates with each LTCF to administer the vaccine. On October 19, CVS announced it plans to create 15,000 jobs in response to the coming flu season and COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. LTCF’s may now opt in to the Partnership Program and choose either CVS or Walgreens to administer the on-site vaccinations. Nursing homes can opt in via the National Healthcare Safety Network, and assisted living facilities will receive an online survey from which they can opt in as well. LTCF’s can choose not to opt in and may request to use their current pharmacy contracts to vaccinate their residents and staff.