Kroger To Provide COVID-19 Vaccines At Smith’s Stores
Dec 15, 2020, 3:13 PM | Updated: 5:45 pm
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Officials with the Kroger Company, the parent company for Smith’s Food & Drug, said they will soon offer nationwide COVID-19 vaccines.
Kroger said Tuesday it will work with state health departments and the federal government and vaccinations will become available based on the Centers for Disease Control rollout plan.
The company said the number of stores it operates means it can vaccinate a large part of the population.
“At Smith’s we are committed to helping people live healthier lives. We have been diligent in doing our part in the community to stop the spread of the virus, including partnering with city and county health departments to provide free drive-through COVID-19 testing,” said Aubriana Martindale, Smith’s corporate affairs manager. “Affordable antibody testing is now available at all Smith’s pharmacies, and our team of health care professionals are actively preparing for the authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Officials said Smith’s was the country’s first retailer to offer rapid antibody tests. The tests cost $25 and can tell patients if they have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Results are usually ready within 15 minutes.