Costco begins providing COVID-19 vaccines in the Bay Area

Costco on Saturday became the latest pharmacy chain to announce that it would begin offering coronavirus vaccines to Bay Area residents.

Starting this week, Costco will be administering vaccines, typically Moderna, at select stores across California, including one in Marin County, according to a company statement released Saturday.

The Costco store located at 300 Vintage Way in Novato will be the first in the Bay Area to offer vaccination appointments. Eligible people — currently limited to essential health care workers — can book an appointment at the Novato store for as early as Friday, according to Costco’s booking page.

Although Costco is a members-based enterprise, it does not appear that Californians need to be members in order to sign up for an appointment. But, if non-healthcare workers attempt to book an appointment, it will be canceled, the company’s booking page warns.

The superstore chain will also be offering vaccines at select locations in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. California is currently one of just half a dozen states where Costco is offering the vaccine.

“Costco is firmly committed to helping protect the health and safety of our members and employees, and to serving our communities,” the company statement read. “Our pharmacies will be administering COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available, in accordance with CDC and state guidelines.”

Costco representatives did not immediately respond to a request for more details, including when the eligibility pool might be expanded and whether other stores in the Bay Area might begin offering vaccines as well.

Costco joins a handful of pharmacy chains, including CVS, Walgreens, Safeway and Rite Aid that are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations in California.

CVS is offering vaccines to those over the age of 65 and health care workers. Those eligible can book an appointment at CVS.com, by calling 800-746-7287 or through the CVS Pharmacy app.

Walgreens is also offering the coronavirus vaccine in parts of the Bay Area, including in Contra Costa County. People can make an appointment online at Walgreens.com.

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