Giant Eagle's pharmacists prepared to step up to administer covid-19 vaccines in Pa.

Giant Eagle is offering up its staff of pharmacists to help distribute the initial doses of the covid-19 vaccine, the O’Hara-based chain said Friday.

The company assisted in administering the vaccine to long-term care workers Thursday and Friday in Morgantown, W.Va., its Vice President of Risk and Chief Compliance Officer Vic Vercammen said.

“We’re excited to be able to provide our team’s specialized knowledge,” Vercammen said. “We are engaged with local authorities and hope to continue that model and help in Pittsburgh in a similar fashion.”

Allegheny County Health Department officials wouldn’t comment specifically on Giant Eagle’s assistance with the vaccines.

“There are many partners that will be involved in this process,” county spokeswoman Amie Downs said.

Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the county’s health department, will provide further details on how the vaccine will be distributed next month.

“The Pennsylvania Department of Health is continuing our planning process for the first phase of the vaccine,” state spokeswoman Rachel Kostelac said. “We are constantly working to bring more partners into this effort.”

The department appreciates Giant Eagle’s offer and “will be considering it as continue our efforts to vaccinate Pennsylvanians,” Kostelac said.

Aside from his corporate title at Giant Eagle, Vercammen is a pharmacist and he’s also served as the chief pandemic officer this year as the chain has worked through the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

Giant Eagle’s 700 pharmacists are prepared to assist officials in any way they can, Vercammen said.

Its pharmacies are prepared to store and administer the vaccines when they become widely available, he said.

He thanked the company’s customers for following the regulations put into place because of the pandemic and called Giant Eagle’s 37,000 employees “heroes” who are working on the front lines to ensure people have food, gas and supplies.

“We remain committed to our team members and our communities,” Vercammen said.