Ahead of the expected increase in coronavirus vaccine booster shots, CVS Pharmacy is looking to fill 25,000 across the United States. These people will be hired during a one-day hiring event this month. The hiring event will be held on September 24. The hiring by the Woonsocket-based pharmacy chain also comes ahead of annual flu shots. According to the company, the majority of hiring will be for “full-time, part-time and temporary licensed pharmacists, trained pharmacy technicians and nurses.” Apart from these, the company would be also hiring more retail store associates.
The announcement comes close on the heels of recommendations of an advisory panel of the United States Food and Drug Administration. The advisory panel recommended a third booster dose to those above the age of 65 years. The panel said that these people can get the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine as a booster dose. However, the advisory panel was not in the favour of booster shots for every eligible patient and voted against it. Commenting on the hiring, company’s executive vice preside Neela Montgomery said that the CVS always need more staffer during flu season but this year they looking to hire even more.
CVS said the new staff would help in administering Covid-19 booster shots along with supporting flu vaccinations. “While the booster shots are awaiting regulatory approval, the process to vaccinate those who are yet to receive Covid-19 jabs will continue. The new staff will also help patients who are seeking testing at our locations across America,” it said. The companies in the health sector continue to need more staff because of the continued presence of Covid-19. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 83 per cent of people over the age of 65 are fully vaccinated. This means around 45 million people would be eligible for booster shots. Meanwhile, the number of positive cases is once again on the rise. This time it is mainly because of the more dangerous Delta variant of Covid-19.
