COVID-19 vaccinations will eventually be available free at neighborhood pharmacy chains — just as flu shots are now — thanks to an agreement announced by federal health officials on Thursday.
The feds’ latest distribution partnership with major chain drug stores, grocery-store pharmacies and other networks covers about three out of every five pharmacies in all 50 states and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico.
Covered pharmacies now include retail chains Rite Aid and Walgreens and pharmacies at Albertsons, Publix, Costco and Walmart.
CVS and Walgreens have previously agreed to administer vaccines to nursing home patients.
Infectious disease experts, including White House adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci, predict that a COVID-19 vaccine will begin to be widely available sometime next spring, after it’s first distributed to priority groups such as health care workers and people living in nursing homes.
Optimism for an effective vaccine rose this week after news that the shot being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is more than 90 percent effective.
Daily new infection rates are surging across the country, including in New York City, which Wednesday saw its highest tally since June.
With Post wires
