VA Giant Pharmacies Now Offer 2 COVID Antiviral Treatments

VIRGINIA — Virginians in need of COVID-19 treatments can now find them at The Giant Company’s in-store pharmacies.

The Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based chain said Thursday its Giant and Martin’s stores in Virginia have Molnupiravir and Paxlovid antiviral pills in stock. The medications are used to treat COVID-19 and must be prescribed by a customer’s healthcare provider.

All stores have at either Molnupiravir or Paxlovid in-stock. If you are more likely to get seriously ill or be hospitalized from COVID-19, and you test positive, these are the only products available to be taken orally and can be dispensed from a retail pharmacy, Giant said in a news release.

Therapeutics are free for everyone regardless of insurance status or coverage. Customers will be asked for their insurance card to cover the dispensing fee, but those without insurance will be given the product free of charge.

Paxlovid, a five-day course of pills from Pfizer, has been proven to be nearly 90 percent effective at cutting the risks of getting hospitalized or dying because of COVID. Yale Medicine says it can be used by anyone age 12 and older who is at high risk for severe disease. Pfizer recently began Phase 2 and 3 trials in children and teens ages 6 to 17.

Molnupiravir is a series of capsules taken over five days by adults 18 years of age and older who have recently tested positive for coronavirus, have had mild to moderate symptoms for no more than five days and are not hospitalized. Recipients must also be at high risk for COVID-19 complications due to older age, obesity, or medical conditions such as lung or heart disease or diabetes, among others, according to WebMD.

COVID-19 vaccines are also available at all 133 in-store pharmacies to those who are currently eligible. Initial doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to booster doses are available at all Giant and Martin's pharmacies to adults 18 and above.

COVID-19 vaccine type may vary by location. Pharmacies offering the Pfizer vaccine can give the shots to youths ages 12-17. Parental consent is required, and a parent or guardian must be on site.

No appointment is needed, walk-ins are welcome. Customers can save time by booking an appointment online at giantfoodstores.com/pages/tgc-vaccines or martinsfoods.com/pages/tgc-vaccines. Customers must bring photo ID and prescription insurance card. Both initial doses and boosters are administered at no out-of-pocket cost.