Rural Americans in Pharmacy Deserts Hurting for Covid Vaccines Pharmacies are poised to start filling the gaps to vaccinate all of America against covid. Where does that leave people in rural counties that lack pharmacies? khnmarkianh Kaiser Health News

As the Biden administration accelerates a plan to use pharmacies to distribute covid-19 vaccines, significant areas of the country lack brick-and-mortar pharmacies capable of administering the protective shots.

Kroger, Starbucks and Target among retailers that will still require masks in Texas despite end of state mandate As Texas ends its mask mandate, some of nation’s largest retailers including Macy’s, Starbucks and Target are not rolling back theirs. Jessica Guynn USA TODAY

No mask, no service.

A number of states are breaking with federal guidelines and starting to vaccinate people by age group, drawing criticism from essential workers and people with underlying conditions who are getting bumped back in line.

In Connecticut, officials say they're trying to balance equity with speeding up the pace of vaccinations. Under a new vaccination plan that began on March 1, educators are still prioritized but essential workers like grocers, security officers and janitors, who would have been next in line, now have to wait until their age group comes up.

"I am very excited honestly," said Missy Giandurco, 41, who teaches eighth-grade special education. "It's been a very stressful year and the governor made the right choice by moving it forward a little faster."

White House taps insurers to boost vaccinations among vulnerable communities The initiative is aimed at boosting lagging efforts to ensure Covid-19 shots are distributed equitably. Susannah Luthi POLITICO

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced a new initiative with health insurers to ensure some of their most high-risk customers get vaccinated against Covid-19, as the White House tries to energize lagging efforts to distribute the shots equitably.