After a second Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shot was authorized for people aged 50 and older on Tuesday, Walgreens and Rite Aid have announced that they are set to start administering the vaccines to Americans this week.

Pfizer boosters are authorized for people aged 12 and older, and Moderna booster shots are available for those aged 18 and older. A second booster dose is authorized for inoculation at least four months after a first booster shot was administered.

Eligible Rite Aid customers can walk into stores and immediately receive a second booster dose, or they can make an appointment online to receive their shot regardless of where their last shot was administered.

Walgreens’ customers can start scheduling appointments online to receive their second shot starting Friday. Walk-in appointments are also available, depending on store capacity, the retailer said.

Other vaccine administrators, such as CVS Health, told Reuters that it is preparing to administer the second round of boosters, but has not yet set a starting date for in-store shots.

The boosters were authorized by health officials as data showed that vaccine immunity wanes and variants of the Omicron variant pose increased risks, especially as concerns rise over the BA.2 subvariant that is circulating in the U.S. as well as the rest of the world.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this week that the BA.2 subvariant comprises more than half of all COVID cases in the U.S. as health officials anticipate another surge.

Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson said they would supply around 3.5 billion vaccine doses at cost or discount to poor nations
Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson said they would supply around 3.5 billion vaccine doses at cost or discount to poor nations AFP / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU
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