Select Pick 'n Save, Metro Markets join vaccination efforts in WI

MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced on Tuesday, March 2 that certain Pick 'n Save and Metro Market stores will start to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this week. 

Getting the shot, though, won't be as simple as adding a stop for the vaccine to your grocery list. Eligible patients will need to make an appointment online. 

As grocery store workers wait their turn to get vaccinated, thousands of doses are coming to the stores themselves.

"From day to day, it just seems to change, and we’re as anxious as anybody because we’re ready, willing and able with our pharmacy to administer these vaccines," said James Hyland, Roundy's vice president of communications. "It was great news today that we're going to be in this program. That we’re going to be getting more."

The Kroger company is now a part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program in Wisconsin. That means pharmacies at Pick 'n Save and Metro Market will soon get a supply of Pfizer vaccine from the federal government.

"There will be vaccine coming in from two sources now, from the state and the federal government. I think it’s huge in terms of us starting to get a rollout here of vaccines," Hyland said.

This week, the company is set to receive more than 2,300 doses from the program in addition to 1,500 from the state -- all to be distributed among the company's 67 pharmacies.

"We’re still limited. We’re still not getting that big wave of vaccines that we expect to get at some point in time where they can open it up to do additional phases," said Hyland.

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Hyland is not releasing more details about past or future vaccine shipments. Things are still too unpredictable, he said.

"There’s not necessarily a linear progression here. You just get what you get," Hyland said.

Grocery store workers were included in Phase 1b but are not yet being prioritized.

If you fall into an eligible group, visit picknsave.com/covidvaccine to find appointment availability near you.