Where To Find Free N95 Masks At Morristown Pharmacies

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Several Morristown pharmacies plan to receive free N95 masks from the federal government. Bust they haven't arrived at most yet.

The White House will ship 400 million N95 masks to pharmacies across the nation, which are available for all Americans. Customers and patients can pick up a maximum of three masks per person.

Some pharmacy chains planned to receive masks as early as Jan. 28. President Joe Biden's administration said the free-N95 program would become fully operational by early February.

Unfortunately for those most eager to find free N95s, many haven't arrived at stores as of Thursday morning. Patch only found one Morristown pharmacy that said it had free N95s available: Rite Aid on 213 South St.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed pharmacy chains that would receive masks. Patch checked with each of those businesses have a Morristown location and called each store Thursday morning.

Here's what to know:

Rite Aid (213 South St.)

The Rite Aid location has received free N95 masks, and they're available as of Thursday morning.

CVS (117 Speedwell Ave.)

If you call the CVS on Speedwell Avenue, a voiceover will say that CVS locations don't have the government-issued K95s in stores yet.

"We will share more information on timing as we learn more," the voiceover says.

CVS expects masks to come "on a rolling basis as additional supply becomes available," the company told USA TODAY.

Walgreens (203 South St.)

Employees cannot confirm inventory of the government-issued masks over the phone, a voiceover for the store said. Walgreens began its mask rollout and expects all participating stores to receive them by mid-February.

The company says it will frequently update its N95 mask program store locator as shipments arrive. But so far, the Morristown location isn't one of them.

ShopRite of Greater Morristown (178 E Hanover Ave., Cedar Knolls)

The store has not received the government-provided N95s as of Thursday morning.

The CDC updated its face-covering guidance Jan. 14, clearly stating that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection against COVID-19. The agency has no concerns over supply shortages of N95s but clarified Jan. 28 that "surgical N95s" should be reserved for health care settings. Find more mask guidance here.

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