Winn-Dixie, Publix to offer vaccines soon

The shortages in COVID-19 vaccine appointments could gradually begin to ease as Florida keeps partnering with companies to expand the distribution of doses.

Southeastern Grocers Inc., the parent company of Winn-Dixie, intends to begin administering vaccines next week, opening the door for many more stores to offer the shots statewide. The company, one of the largest supermarket chains in the Southeast, is the latest in a growing list of businesses teaming up with the state.

The plans come as people have struggled to sign up for vaccines, and as demand for the vaccine has soared. Another giant grocer, Publix, began offering sign-ups for the vaccine in recent weeks. And hundreds of thousands of people slam its website to fill tens of thousands of appoint

ments instantly each time a sign-up is offered.

A limited supply has hindered Florida’s vaccine rollout, but officials say it’s a step forward to have so many locations ready to provide vaccinations when the supply grows. The strategy is to “provide as many access points for the vaccine as possible,” leading to efficiency and equity in the distribution, said Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner. He on Friday announced that the South Florida Fairgrounds near West Palm Beach will become yet another site, opening Wednesday as a new walk-in vaccination location.

Demand has continued to remain high as people hope to return to a sense of normalcy in their lives. While South Florida appears to have moved past the most recent holiday surge of cases, that doesn’t mean the coast is clear, said Dr. Mary Jo Trepka, a professor of epidemiology at Florida International University.

“What’s complicating things is we’ve identified a large number of the variants of the virus,” Trepka said. “Because the variant seems to be more easily transmitted from person to person than the regular COVID, there’s a concern that we might be seeing more transmission.

Florida’s weekly allotment of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is expected to increase this coming week. Florida received more than 300,000 doses this past week.

Plans also are afoot for various other vaccination initiatives, with older adults being a priority. Gov.

Ron DeSantis recently announced a program to set aside hundreds of coronavirus vaccines for homebound seniors. “Southeastern Grocers this coming Thursday plans to begin administering about 8,100 Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at its Winn-Dixie stores, in addition to its Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket locations. The company operates 231 in-store pharmacies throughout the Southeast, including 159 pharmacies in Florida. But the company hasn’t yet said which stores or counties the vaccine will be offered at. It plans to provide updates through its websites in the coming days:

Winn-Dixie: www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/ covid-vaccine

Fresco y Más: www.frescoymas.com/pharmacy/ covid-vaccine

Harveys Supermarket: www.harveyssupermarkets.com/pharmacy/ covid-vaccine

The grocer plans to offer the vaccines to health care workers, residents and staff of long-term-care facilities, as well as people ages 65 and older.

The vaccines are free, with or without health insurance.

Those with health insurance will be asked for their health insurance card, and those without insurance will be asked for a valid driver’s license or Social Security card, the company said.

Each time Publix has made appointments available, all the openings are taken within one or two hours through its website, www.publix.com/covidvaccine.

An appointment is required and only seniors age 65 and older who can show proof of Florida residency can book a spot.