Walmart To Offer COVID-19 Vaccination In Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, CA — After rolling out COVID-19 vaccination availability in dozens of other states, Walmart announced late Thursday that 137 of its California pharmacies have been added to the list — including in Palm Desert.

Six Sam's Club stores are also part of the Golden State vaccination effort.

Walmart said appointments are available at all the participating stores via the company's online scheduler. Appointments at participating Sam's Club stores can be made here.

See the complete store list below.

Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-36) announced earlier Thursday that Walmart would open new COVID-19 vaccination sites in the Riverside County cities of San Jacinto, Beaumont, Hemet, and Palm Desert — marking the first indication that the large retailer would begin offering the vaccine in California.

“I am thrilled to announce that more vaccines are on their way to the residents of California’s 36th district,” Ruiz said. “This is a victory for our communities and great progress in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. I am glad Walmart is answering my call to expand its vaccination sites and prioritize high-risk, underserved communities in Riverside County. This will aid our work to quickly and safely end this pandemic, and I will continue my aggressive advocacy for more vaccines for my constituents.”

Ruiz, a medical doctor, wrote a Feb. 26 letter to Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon asking the retail chief to expand the number of states in which his company was offering COVID-19 vaccines and to prioritize locations in the hardest hit, highest risk underserved communities, including the congressman's district in eastern Riverside County.

"Because retail pharmacies are located in every community, they can play a pivotal role in getting the vaccine into the arms of the individuals in communities that have been disproportionately overburdened with infections and death by COVID-19," Ruiz wrote in his letter. "They can also help disseminate important vaccine information and help patients overcome vaccine hesitancy – in doing so they can significantly contribute to saving lives and ending the pandemic."

A March 26 update on the Walmart website said the company was administering vaccines in 46 states at select Walmart and Sam's Club stores — but California was not yet included. The vaccine doses are being procured through the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, according to the retailer.

In its March 26 update, Walmart said it was working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local officials "to be thoughtful and purposeful in cases of limited vaccine allocation. This way, we can have the best impact possible in our 5,000+ Walmart and Sam’s Club locations."