Wisconsin Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market stores to get vaccine boost from federal program

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Kroger stores in the state, which include Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market, are now part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, allowing select locations of the supermarket to receive vaccine doses from the federal government as well as the state.

“This is a great opportunity for us, it means we’ll be getting vaccines from two sources now,” Emilie Williamson, Roundy’s Wisconsin Corporate Affairs Manager, told CBS 58.

“We are the 14th state to be part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, so it’s great to be invited into that. We have 67 pharmacies across the state of Wisconsin, so we’re able to reach a lot of people, in a lot of communities.”

In its first week, the company is expected to be allocated 2,340 Pfizer vaccine doses from the federal government. That is on top of the state allocation, which for this week, includes 1,552 doses, according to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

In a statement, DHS Interim Secretary Karen Timberlake said the state is “excited to continue to expand Wisconsin’s vaccine infrastructure and provide more access to vaccine by adding another pharmacy partner to this critical program.”

Once supply is able to meet demand, Williamson said Kroger’s stores in Wisconsin in total are equipped to administer 6,000 doses a week.

Anyone currently eligible for the vaccine in Wisconsin can check Kroger’s website or call (866) 211-5320 to schedule an appointment as they are available.

Meanwhile, Walgreens continues to push ahead with its vaccine efforts.

Appointments were available in the Milwaukee area as of Wednesday afternoon.

CBS 58 spoke with one vaccine recipient at a Walgreens in Shorewood.

“I feel so relieved, it’s just been a real struggle,” Robert Elsner, of Milwaukee, said. “Because my wife got covid and she was in the hospital.”

Elsner said the process through Walgreens was simple and just required some navigation online.

“It’s a little confusing, the site is a little confusing, but kind of have to work through that,” Elsner said.