Albertsons streamlines consumer access to COVID-19 services

Albertsons Cos. is making it easier for consumers to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations, information and testing.

The supermarket giant, which has administered 6 million COVID-19 vaccinations to date through its 1,700 pharmacies nationwide and has also partnered with Google Business Messages to provide customers real-time information on COVID-19 vaccine availability, is introducing several new COVID-19-related offerings.

These include a free digital vaccine record that can be downloaded and saved to a digital device. Customers who completed their COVID-19 vaccine series through any Albertsons Cos. pharmacy will receive an email in the next few days with detailed instructions on how to access their digital vaccine record. This information will also be shared with anyone receiving the vaccine in the future at one of the company’s pharmacy locations.

Albertsons is also offering over-the-counter rapid COVID-19 testing. These self-administered tests are a product of Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, and can be used by individuals with or without symptoms who may have been exposed to COVID-19. 

The tests can be purchased at in store pharmacies and do not require a prescription. Antigen tests can be used on children as young as 2 years old, when administered by an adult. The tests are minimally invasive and results for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals are available in as little as 15 minutes. They may not be covered by insurance, but are priced to be affordable.

In addition, Albertsons. and Moderna have teamed up to sponsor a COVID-19 vaccine map on the Nextdoor social platform to help users locate nearby vaccine appointment locations. Customers are then redirected from Nextdoor to the Albertsons scheduling tool to set up a vaccine appointment, receive a confirmation, and get the second dose scheduled all in under three minutes.

Lastly, the company is partnering with Lyft to offer discounted rides to and from any Albertsons pharmacy for vaccinations. When eligible customers make a vaccination appointment on the Albertsons website, they will receive a Lyft discount code in their appointment confirmation email. Customers who get vaccinated at an eligible Albertsons pharmacy will also be provided with a 10% off coupon for grocery purchase, up to $200 (subject to certain exceptions).

Pharmacies participating in these programs include Safeway, Vons, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen, and Carrs.

“As frontline healthcare providers, our pharmacy teams have been heroic in administering millions of vaccinations to our customers across the country and providing them with critical information and solutions during these unprecedented times,” said Omer Gajial, Albertsons Companies senior VP of pharmacy and health. “With these enhancements, we are proud to be able to offer local communities new resources to help keep them safe and make informed decisions about their health as we continue to navigate through this public health crisis together.”

Albertsons operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with more than 20 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets, and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.