Giant Eagle Pharmacies Now Accepting Walk-Ins For COVID-19 Vaccinations
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A new push to get people vaccinated against COVID-19 is starting Monday.
It's convenient for shoppers at Giant Eagle. People needing the vaccine can walk right in and get it. They no longer need an appointment. This move will allow more and more people to get vaccinated.
Giant Eagle says it's for anyone 18 and older. They can get the vaccine at any of the company's in-store pharmacy locations.
KDKA spoke to some people getting the vaccine at the Giant Eagle pharmacy in McIntyre Square in McCandless. They say they held off on getting it earlier because they didn't trust it initially. It took months for John Wallace Jr. to get to this point.
"I've been very skeptical about getting the shot," said Wallace.
One reason: he's been fearful of its side effects. But after doing some research and seeing his wife get the shot, he found himself at a pharmacy, signing up.
"I had an appointment scheduled for UPMC last week and I canceled it, because of those fearful factors. But when I see on TV yesterday about walk-ins, no appointment necessary, I said, 'I'm coming in,'" said Wallace.
Giant Eagle tells KDKA they've given out more than 500,000 shots to date. That includes clinics and large distribution sites like Heinz Field.
"Demand is starting to level off with supply. We're excited to give people the opportunity to decide to come in to get it at their convenience," said Giant Eagle spokesperson Jannah Jablonowski.
And it's that convenience that led Conrad Mohr to the pharmacy. He says he struggled with getting an appointment.
"Because it's the only place I could get it. The only place around that I could find and get it," said Mohr.
Giant Eagle asks that you bring a valid form of identification and medical insurance information. The vaccine will be administered during pharmacy hours, which may vary from store hours. Giant Eagle says specific appointments will no longer be available to schedule.
For more information, patients can reach out to a Giant Eagle Pharmacy location or click here.
