CVS, Rite-Aid to begin taking vaccine appointments Thursday

A CVS staffer prepares a shot. (CVS Health)

CVS and Rite-Aid will begin taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccines Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

Murphy said the drugstore chains will begin receiving doses — approximately 20,000 for CVS and 7,500 for Rite-Aid — starting Thursday, and could begin administering the vaccine as soon as Friday.

More importantly, Murphy said the number of doses will not change, ensuring consistency in the process.

“As these doses are being delivered through the federal pharmacy partnership, they will not dip, and this is an important point, they will not dip into or otherwise impact our state allocation,” he said.

To get an appointment at CVS, go to the company’s portal at cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine, use the CVS Pharmacy app or call the customer service line at 800-746-7287. No walk-in vaccines will be provided.

A CVS spokesperson said the company will announce the locations where the shot is available on the website Thursday. The company previously said it would be offered at 27 locations, including stores in Brigantine, Edison, Elizabeth, Flemington, Green Brook, Hoboken, North Bergen, North Plainfield, Princeton, Seaside Heights, Stanhope, Union, Voorhees and West Orange.

Appointments for Rite-Aid locations can only be made through the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System.