Rite Aid Now Offering COVID Vaccine To NJ Teachers, Others

NEW JERSEY — Rite Aid is opening up eligibility for receiving the coronavirus vaccine to teachers, school staff and childcare providers, with appointments being scheduled for the next two days.

New Jersey residents who fall into those three categories can schedule appointments on Thursday and Friday, the pharmacy announced on Thursday. Appointments can be scheduled on Rite Aid’s website.

During those two days, no one else will be able to schedule appointments to be vaccinated at Rite Aid. Scheduling for all other eligible residents will resume Saturday, Rite Aid officials said.

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The expansion is being made in line with a directive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Biden Administration, according to Rite Aid.

It also comes 10 days after Gov. Phil Murphy announced that vaccine eligibility was expanding to include teachers, school staff and child care workers. Read more here: How NJ Teachers Will Get COVID Vaccines: New Information Released

It also comes at a time when districts are looking for ways to bring students back to schools for in-person learning as much as possible. Murphy has said he expects all schools to reopen in the fall. Read more here: Expect All NJ Schools To Reopen By Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

"Teachers and school employees are cornerstones of our communities, and we truly appreciate all the hard work and dedication they continue to put into educating our children as we battle this pandemic," Rite Aid Chief Operating Officer Jim Peters said. "In support of the HHS directive for provider partners to prioritize the vaccination of educators, school staff and licensed childcare staff, we are proud to do our part in protecting school communities and returning educators, staff and students safely back into classrooms. In-person learning is a critical step forward to help address mental health concerns and educational disparities for our most disadvantaged and vulnerable students. We continue to embrace our role in helping end the pandemic."

New Jersey is one of seven states impacted by this expansion. Rite Aid currently administers the coronavirus vaccine in the Garden State through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Both Rite Aid and CVS began administering the vaccine under the program last month.