Kroger Health Partners with Trae Young and Turner Sports to Help Drive COVID-19 Vaccinations in Atlanta

According to the CDC, 62% of adults in America have received at least one vaccination shot; however, underserved communities – and specifically Black and Brown communities – are still lagging. This is particularly concerning because reports indicate that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people of color.

“Our Kroger Health team has been working on the frontlines of this pandemic since last spring, delivering quality, accessible healthcare services to Americans of all backgrounds,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. “We are passionate about bringing these services to the people who need them most, which includes communities of color. We want to make sure every American has access to the COVID-19 vaccine. I can’t thank Turner Sports, NBA on TNT, and Trae Young enough for their partnership to help make sure that people in Atlanta and the surrounding areas in Fulton County – one of the most vulnerable locations in the country – have the access and awareness they need to get vaccinated.”

Kroger Health is the fourth-largest retail healthcare organization in America, with over 2,200 pharmacies and 220 clinics. More than 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, making retail healthcare locations a critical piece in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy. To date, Kroger Health has delivered more than 4.7 million COVID-19 vaccines.

“Over the last year I have seen my community devastated by the impact of COVID-19,” said Young. “It’s hit us harder than most. I’ve been so inspired by the work Kroger and their Kroger Health team are doing to help us get past this pandemic, and I’m honored to partner with them to drive awareness and education of the vaccine in Atlanta and around the country. As a young Black man, I understand the challenges our community faces. Young people and people of color are lagging behind when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, and I am passionate about helping bridge that gap.”

At the start of the pandemic, Kroger Health began early with drive-thru testing sites, then introduced home testing solutions, and later offered antibody and rapid antigen testing. And since the COVID-19 vaccine was first approved, the Kroger Health team increased operations at all pharmacies and clinics nationwide to be able to deliver 1 million vaccines per week.

“Atlanta is our home, and COVID-19 has been tough on us here. Vaccination efforts are a key part of building back better than ever, so initiatives like this one are crucial right now,” said Seth Cole, senior vice president, brand partnerships, Turner Sports. “We are proud to partner with Kroger Health and to use our NBA on TNT platform to help make a difference in communities that need it most.”

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, visit kroger.com. And to learn more about Kroger’s #CommunityImmunity $5 million giveaway, visit here.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.